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DISASTER: Thuto Itumeleng lies on Main Reef Road near Mohlakeng, Randfontein on the West Rand. District official Onkarabetse Mankuroane comforts Omphemetse Itumeleng and her mother Margaret , the boy's aunt . PHOTO: BAFANA MAHLANGU

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Thuto Itumeleng, of Mohlakeng Extension 6, was on his way to school when he was hit by a car while crossing the R28 road in the township. He died at the scene.

Itumeleng, a pupil at Sedimosang Primary School in Mohlakeng, is the third victim to die on the same stretch of road.

Otsile Kashobane, 23, was killed on December 16 in a hit-and-run incident.

Two weeks ago, on May 2, Kashobane's cousin Donald Maine, 28, also died after yet another accident on what the residents now refer to as Killer Road.

His father Thabo called for the installation of a traffic light.

"Our understanding is that an overhead bridge will be built, but for now we want a traffic light that will help reduce accidents," Maine said.

After Itumeleng's death yesterday, angry residents closed the road with stones and branches.

They said a traffic officer who was dispatched to the area to help children cross the road failed to do her job.

A woman who witnessed the accident said: "She went over to the other side of the road leading to Randfontein to fetch the child and brought him over to the other road leading to Bekkersdal. However, she didn't help him cross over the road all the way and left him on his own.

"I saw a speeding bakkie that knocked him down and he flew about 10m before hitting the ground," she said.

Thuto's mother Mmatumelo Itumeleng said she knew something was terribly wrong when she received a call from a friend who asked her to rush home. "Not long after that, my sister Margaret also called and I knew then that something was wrong."

When she arrived at the scene, Mmatumelo was overcome by emotion at seeing her son. "I last saw him on Sunday because together with his two-year-old brother, they stay with my mother. I was busy with the laundry and we were singing a hymn, Tumelo ke thebe, that was his favourite song."

Kenny Mampondo of public safety at the Randfontein Local Municipality could not be reached for comment.

Comments

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Tue Jun 18 23:24:37 SAST 2013 ::

May 16, 2012

candilious

Shame man rest in peace little one.

What parent lets a 6yr old go alone to school No man nee its just no right.After all its the killer road..........
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May 16, 2012

Papage

Rest in peace boy, Why parents let their young children walk themselves to school, what kind of parents are we, 6 years, is too young to walk alone, as for the driver, where were your eyes?
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May 16, 2012

Ann

i dont know what i would do if sumthing like this happens to my child , God forbid, its so sad to receive such news as a parent
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May 16, 2012

ntebo

So sad, we live 5 minutes away from school my daughter is 5 and she has a transport to school, I rather pay R400 every month than to let er walk with other kids,because they are always running
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May 16, 2012

ntebo

So sad, we live 5 minutes away from school my daughter is 5 and she has a transport to school, I rather pay R400 every month than to let her walk with other kids,because they are always running
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May 16, 2012

Idohl

Charge the officer with murder. Does she expect only to collect her cheque and do nothing?
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May 16, 2012

Bobodlwane

Eish may his little soul rest in peace.*crying*
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May 16, 2012

NevusAuvius

they should build schools in thata area phela its even dangerous for a grown person to cross that road.That area is a location and its far from everything like schools,clinics,police station and le ko modendeng.
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May 16, 2012

lillianm

the drivers are careless when you drive pls expect a person crossing even at night to parents out there plswe must not let our children walk alone especially crossing these dangerous roads may his soul rest in peace
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May 16, 2012

MommaC

A 6 year old child should not be walking on their own. They can't judge a car's speed and distance properly and they don't have the knowledge of road safety rules. I won't even mention the danger from monsters out there that prey on our kids.
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