‘I can’t cope at all’: Betiwe family pleads for help to bury their daughter

Newly elected leaders of Khayelitsha Development Forum (KDF) in Khayelitsha visited families who lost their children in an accident on AZ Berman Drive in Mitchell’s Plain on Tuesday (30 May). 

Five learners died in the crash, while two were taken to hospital with serious injuries after the Toyota Hilux bakkie they were travelling is understood to have collided with a traffic light.

One of the victim’s parents Nomakhaya Betiwe (36), from Makhaza, said she is still traumatised by the incident and struggling to come to terms with the death of her daughter, Lelam Betiwe (5). 

“It is much better during the day, but the reality comes at night. I can’t cope at all. That morning the incident happened. I woke up and prepared her for school and kissed her before she left the house. Little did I know that it was the last time that I saw her,” said Betiwe. 

However, she stated that she does not hold grudges against the driver as he knows he was a good person. She stated that her daughter’s death was God’s way. 

“My daughter wouldn’t be dead if God didn’t want to. Maybe she would be one of those who survived. I don’t blame the driver because I know him and he doesn’t drink,”

Nomakhaya Betiwe, mother of Lelam Betiwe who died in a car accident in Mitchell’s Plain on Tuesday (30 May).

However, she stated they are facing a mammoth burden to bury her daughter. She said she is appealing to the community to assist them with whatever they can to bury her firstborn. 

“We don’t have a date for the funeral yet since we are still waiting for the post-mortem results to come. But we will bury her here (Makhaza). And we are struggling. We are asking anyone who can assist us to come forward,” she said. 

KDF secretary Nkosinathi Veza stated that they are trying to engage with all the victims’ deceased to ascertain where they can help.

He stated that they will work together with the provincial education department to arrange the memorial service for the deceased. 

“As KDF we were planning to assist the deceased families in having a memorial service. But we heard that the Education Department is planning to do a memorial service for them on Tuesday 6 June. So, we will engage with the department and see if we can’t work together,” said Veza.  

He stated that among the deceased, three of them are from Makhaya, one from Makhaza and another one from Harare.

He said one of the survivors is also from Makhaya and he is not sure about the other one. 

Western Cape Education department spokesperson Kerry Mauchline confirmed the rumours but stated that there is nothing finalised yet.

“I’m aware of the discussions of the service, but the details have not been finalised,” said Mauchline. 

National Prosecution Authority (NPA) provincial spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed Mninikhaya Mvuli appeared at the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrate’s Court on Thursday 1 June and was charged with five counts of culpable homicide and a count of reckless driving. 

“The learners who were passengers in the vehicle were on their way to various schools around the Mitchells Plain area. Mvuli told the court that he intends to apply for bail, and his case has been postponed until next Monday 5 June for a bail application date,” he said adding that the state will oppose his bail application.