Key Points
- Fhulufhelo Makhado unknowingly passed the accident scene where his nephew died.
- He only learned about the tragedy after arriving at the hospital.
- Four schoolchildren, including Lubanzi, lost their lives in the crash.
A tragic coincidence unfolded in Ekurhuleni when Fhulufhelo Makhado unknowingly drove past an accident scene where his seven-year-old nephew, Lubanzi Nhlapo, had died. He only realized the heartbreaking truth after reaching the hospital.
A routine hospital trip turns tragic
On Monday morning, Makhado rushed his sick wife to Tambo Memorial Hospital. As he drove along the N21, he encountered heavy traffic caused by a crash. At the time, he had no idea that his nephew was among the victims.
“There was a lot of traffic, and we had to slow down,” Makhado recalled. “We were diverted to the fast lane to pass the wreckage.” He noticed a damaged vehicle at the scene but focused on navigating through traffic to get his wife to the hospital quickly.
The shocking phone call
Upon arriving at the hospital, Makhado received multiple missed calls from an unknown number. He chose to return the call later after ensuring his wife was admitted. However, his wife’s phone soon rang, and the caller insisted on speaking with him.
The voice on the line belonged to Nomsa Nhlapo, who delivered devastating news. His nephew, Lubanzi, had been involved in the accident on the N21 westbound, just before the Putfontein Road off-ramp—the same scene he had driven past earlier.
Returning to the accident scene
Realizing what had happened, Makhado rushed back to the crash site. This time, traffic was even worse. He parked his car and ran to the accident scene, filled with dread.
At the site, he saw scattered school bags and shoes, a grim reminder of the tragedy. When he identified himself as Lubanzi’s great-uncle, bystanders initially tried to prevent him from getting too close. However, he managed to reach the scholar transport vehicle. There, in the back seat, he saw Lubanzi—lifeless.
A family in mourning
The City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services confirmed that all victims were schoolchildren. Lubanzi and three other children did not survive. Several others, including the driver of an Isuzu involved in the crash, sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital.
Since the tragedy, Lubanzi’s family has struggled to cope with their loss. His uncle remembered him as a bright, soccer-loving child who admired Orlando Pirates’ Kabelo Dlamini and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé.
“He always asked when I would buy him a jersey of his favorite players,” Makhado said, his voice heavy with emotion.
