Katlehong family still reeling from teen who died after 68-year-old woman rammed into crowd
According to witnesses, a woman drove her car into a crowd of young girls, killing Pretty Mahlangu and injuring others.
A Katlehong family in Ekurhuleni is still reeling from the death of their 13-year-old child who died at a traditional sweet 16 ceremony in Germiston.
JOHANNESBURG - A Katlehong family in Ekurhuleni is still reeling from the death of their 13-year-old child, who died at a traditional sweet 16 ceremony in Germiston after a local rammed into a crowd on the street.
According to witnesses, a woman drove her car into a crowd of young girls, killing Pretty Mahlangu and injuring others.
The teen was laid to rest on Sunday in Katlehong, but her family and community said they are still looking for answers.
What was meant to be a day of celebrations turned tragic when the 13-year-old was run over by a car.
The teen was part of a group of young maidens who were part of the traditional Sweet 16 ceremony known as Umhlonyane in the Zulu culture that was held in Germiston.
It’s alleged that a disgruntled neighbour of the hosting family took issue with what she allegedly labelled as revealing traditional Zulu attire.
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Simphiwe Khumalo, whose family was hosting the gathering, explained what happened next: “So, three cars approached. We managed to turn back two of the cars, but then one of the cars went through the barricade and when she was approaching the kids, I jumped in front of the car trying to stop her.”
She said that the woman proceeded to bump her and speed through the group of girls.
“She just drove straight into the crowd of children and ran over a child twice because when they were busy pushing each other in that stampede the kid lost balance when she fell. She drove over.”
The family said they have not received confirmation on the suspect’s arrest but were informed by police that a case of culpable homicide has been opened.