Zukile Majova
Some prayed and washed the road with holy water while others burned incense calling on ancestors to cleanse the deadly Kei Cuttings Pass on the N2 between East London and Butterworth.
On Thursday, religious leaders, traditional leaders, healers, sangomas, police and government officials descended on the scene of the recent DMJ bus crash that claimed 31 lives last month.
A preliminary report released this week said the bus, which was ferrying passengers from Cape Town to Umtata, had mechanical problems and the accident was made worse by the failure of passengers to wear seatbelts.
Sangomas and traditional healers called on the powers of the dead to bless the souls lost in that horrific accident, in a ceremony that is believed would help the dead find lasting peace.
There is a general belief that if the cleansing ceremony is not done on the scene of a horrific accident, the dead would join evil spirits and wander the underworld and cause many future accidents.
It is for this reason that Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane organised the ceremony ahead of the festive season which is often bedevilled by carnage on South African roads.
Hazel Khanyisile Parmalat said: “My friend died in that crash on her way to bury her mom, sadly she was buried with her mother.”
Some residents however criticised Premier Mabuyane saying his government should concentrate on making roads safer.
Onke Gxaba said: “More effort and focus should be put in to prevent the licensing departments corrupt ways. Heavy and light vehicles pass roadworthiness without even going to the testing stations.
“Some vehicles on the road, one can notice just by their physical appearance that they are not roadworthy. It is unfortunate that our licensing departments are manifested by some, not all, corrupt officials to feed their greed for money.’
Pics credit: Supplied
