Mother’s Day celebrations had to come to a halt for some KZN families after their loved ones died tragically this weekend. It is believed that 10 people died horrifically in the province on Sunday, 11 May 2025, as a result of two separate incidents, one a major collision and the other a raging home inferno.
In the horror crash that occurred at around 6:45am, eight church worshippers, mostly mothers, lost their lives in Empangeni, north of Durban. Expressing deep sorrow, KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC, Siboniso Duma, lamented the “somber dark cloud hanging over KwaZulu-Natal on Mother’s Day.”
Couple died in home inferno
In a separate incident at approximately 5am, a couple from Pisces Avenue, Woodhurst in Chatsworth perished in a fierce fire that engulfed their home despite tireless rescue efforts. At the horrific scene of the Mandeni accident, the bodies of the eight deceased were scattered on the road, while 16 occupants were rushed to nearby hospitals. Department officials worked tirelessly until the late hours of the night to trace families and relatives of the deceased. We have chosen to not publish the photograph of the deceased women to respect them.
Tow truck arrested detained
The driver of the tow truck crashed into the rear-end of a Hyundai H-1 van which was transporting 24 members of the Zion Christian Church travelling to Dukuduku, Mtubatuba. The accident occurred along the N2 Northbound after the Mtunzini Toll Plaza. Councillor Duma confirmed the tow truck driver was in police custody following the accident. “We have been informed by the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) and emergency rescue services that the tow truck struck the rear end of the open Hyundai H-1 resulting in multiple fatalities and serious injuries. The tow truck driver has been arrested and thorough investigations will take place in the next few days.
Cloud of darkness loomed
Barely minutes after Duma sent out a joyful message wishing all mothers a happy Mother’s Day, the Department received the sad news of the eight women who had died which “created a cloud of darkness.” “Losing a mother is a deeply painful experience that marks the radical change of the family’s life and involves a wide range of sad emotions,” said Duma.
Injured rushed to hospital
While the Department expressed its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and the Church, Duma said his team would be checking on the injured victims. “The 16 injured passengers were taken to nearby hospitals and we hope that they have a speedy recovery. I have assembled a dedicated team from my office to liaise with the Church and the bereaved families during this difficult period. I have also mandated the RTI to keep in touch with Road Traffic Management Corporation to ensure that an investigation is conducted around this horrific accident.”
Couple died in blaze
In another early morning tragedy, a man known as Indren Naidoo, 65, and his wife, Shanitha Jeevan, 61, died after a massive blaze broke out at their home at Pisces Avenue. Members of the eThekwini Fire Department had worked tirelessly to extinguish the raging fire. According to Advanced Life Support(ALS) director, Garrith Jamieson, the home was still burning when they arrived on scene.
“Once the fire had been contained, the members of the fire department entered the building. Unfortunately, they found that the couple had already died due to injuries sustained during the fire,” explained Jamieson.
A neighbor, Kevin Naidoo, said that the fire was so intense that they could do nothing but “just stand from a distance in despair.”
“The flames were raging and we could not get into the home to rescue them. After the fire brigade worked to douse this fire, they were then able to enter the home. Unfortunately, the couple had already died. They were the only two occupants in the house at the time.” Indren and Shanitha were described as humble and friendly by their neighbours. It is believed that 11 May 2025 was Shanitha’s birthday.
ICYMI: Find our latest updates on our home page, click here.