The Post

‘Life is not cheap’

MF leader wants justice for son’s death

RACHEL VADI rachel.vadi@inl.co.za

THIS Sunday will mark 40 days since the death of Pradhil Thakur Rajbansi and his fiancée, Priyanka Nunkumar, who were killed in a collision on the N3 near the Mariannhill Toll Plaza.

For Shameen Thakur-Rabjansi, it has been an emotional period as she tries to come to terms with the death of her only child and of Nunkumar, who was not just a future daughter-in-law but also her personal assistant.

“It’s very hard, but I try. The amount of work I have to do keeps me occupied, but at the back of my mind I know there is something missing – something that is just not right. It is difficult to get simple things done, but I try. I do whatever is in front of me and that’s how the last few weeks have gone. The only thing I find some comfort in is God.”

Pradhil, 31, and Priyanka, 27, who were both members of the Minority Front, lived in Pietermaritzburg. They were travelling to Durban for an event hosted by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) when a truck driver lost control of his vehicle and slammed into a number of other vehicles.

“Since my son died, I’ve been along the route three times. I’ve become very observant of that particular route.

“I feel that there are now fewer trucks on that stretch of the N3 and I’m hoping that they are using the arterial roads. In that way, at least the cars can manage because with all the construction, the roads are narrow.

“The other thing I noticed is that more signs were put up and these had bright colours. But, in my heart, I felt it was a little too late,” said Thakur-Rajbansi.

As a member of the provincial legislature, she has in the past participated in discussions about the state of the roads. But she wants to get more involved.

“For a few years I have been complaining in the legislature about our roads. Ironically my son would provide me with a lot of information because he was on the road every day and knew first-hand about the risks and what needed to be done to make our roads safer.

“I did a bit of travelling this week and I saw lots of Road Traffic Inspectorate vehicles stationed in different areas. Suddenly, they are doing the surveillance work they were supposed to do. I also noticed there were few cameras. We need more to be installed.

“We also need to change the agreement that allows truck drivers from southern Africa to drive on our roads. They should be tested by our traffic officials so they understand the rules of our roads. I also think we need more weigh bridges where trucks and drivers are tested.”

Thakur-Rajbansi said her son, who was involved in the Minority Front, had pushed for the party to lobby for safer roads.

“A month before he died, we were stuck near Cliffdale and he told me that as lawmakers we were punishing the wrong people. He was of the view that instead of punishing drivers, we should actually go after the truck owners.”

She said she was disappointed that the owners of the truck that killed her son and his fiancée had not reached out to her or anyone else.

“I think it is inhumane. But it is the type of attitude we see. Yes, life is temporary. But life is not cheap.”

Thakur-Rajbansi said once she completed the 40-day prayer as per Hindu custom, she would attend next month’s court appearance of the driver.

Vuso Tega, 42, appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on two counts of culpable homicide. He is a citizen of Zimbabwe who is living and working in South Africa legally. He was granted bail of R10 000.

“I am relying on the justice system. I remember when the Fields Hill truck incident took place, the verdict was very strong against the company and the truck driver. It resulted in many changes on Fields Hill and since then we don’t hear about too many incidents there.

“So, I will leave it to the judgment and wisdom of the judges

“I am just praying that we will get justice because no one is able to bring my son back. He was my only child and I had a lot of hope in him and I know he had many dreams. He was just 31. He had just started a career in politics and participated in the last local government election. They were going for an IEC meeting, that was meant to prepare us for the next local government election.

“For me, this is like the snatching away of two young people in the prime of their youth, who had a lot of potential. My heart also goes out to other families who were affected by this. I would like to reach out to them. I think we have to support each other.

“People say time will heal, but I don’t think that’s possible. All we can do is support each other.”

With the festive season approaching, a time when road fatalities increase, Thakur-Rajbansi advised: “I always told my children that we must never drive for ourselves but for others. Be conscious of what other drivers are doing and always be alert.”

Front Page

en-za

2022-12-07T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-12-07T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://thepostza.pressreader.com/article/281483575414322

African News Agency