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One person died, and another was left injured, after a car crashed into a home in Kayamandi last month. This was according to Mabasela Phalamahashe, the great-aunt of the deceased. The accident happened at 01:00 on 19 April, said Mabasela.
Visuals of a recent fatal accident where a car crashed into a home in Kayamandi were shared by Arrive Alive. PHOTO: Sourced/Arrive Alive
The vehicle veered off the road and collided with the side of the shack, she stated.
Following the events of the crash, multiple cases were opened, including culpable homicide, and reckless and negligent driving. This was according to captain Nathalie Martin, spokesperson for South African Police Services Stellenbosch.
At this point in the investigation there have been no arrests, stated Martin.
This is the home where Olwethu Phalamahashe lived. She had gone to bed already on 19 April, when a car crashed through a wall, injuring her fatally, said Mabasela Phalamahashe, Olwethu’s great-aunt. PHOTO: Joseph Bracken
‘Already too late’
The deceased, Olwethu Phalamahashe (36), was in bed at the time, which placed her in the direct course of the vehicle, said Mabasela. Olwethu lived in the home with her family, according to Mabasela.
When the police found Olwethu’s body, they told the family that “it was already too late”, said Philiswa Phalamahashe, Olwethu’s sister.
The second victim, a minor who lives in the home, sustained injuries to the right side of his body and the top of his head, said Mabasela. The paramedics took him to hospital, according to, Mabasela.
The home of the Phalamahashe family was damaged when a car crashed through a wall on 19 April. The damaged wall had since been replaced. PHOTO: Joseph Bracken
Remembering Olwethu
“The municipality is aware of this tragic accident and have expressed our condolences to the affected family. We wish the injured person a speedy recovery,” said Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson for Stellenbosch Municipality.
A photo of Olwethu Palamahashe, who died following a recent car accident in Kayamandi. “Olwethu was someone you could always go to with your problems, said Philiswa Phalamahashe, Olwethu’s sister. “Now that she’s gone, I don’t know who I’m going to go to when I need to cry,” she said. PHOTO: Joseph Bracken
Olwethu’s family has mourned her loss, said Philiswa.
“[Olwethu] was a good person,” said Philiswa. She would always offer help when it was needed, stated Philiswa.
Olwethu was someone you could always go to with your problems, said Philiswa. “Now that she’s gone, I don’t know who I’m going to go to when I need to cry,” she said.