Thembela Khamango

Thembela Khamango

Two traumatised boys have been crying uncontrollably since the death of a friend who was killed by a car on Monday.

Fana Swazi, 11, and Mpho Bondoyi, 12, used to walk to school each day with their buddy Bongimusa Shabalala. But neither has been able to face class since Bongimusa, 11, and his sister Xoliswa, 8, were knocked down by a car.

The siblings were killed on Peter Road near Zandspruit informal settlement in Honeydew, Johannesburg, while walking to the nearby Masakhane Primary School.

Their mother, Shongani Shabalala, said her son was a responsible child who adored his two loyal friends. "The two have not been to school since the accident. They come here every morning, sit outside and cry bitterly. It's painful."

Michael Shabalala, the dead children's father, said they had decided to let them mourn their friend's death. "It is not going to help anybody to force them to go to school in the emotional state they're in," he said.

Shongani said she had sent her children off to school as usual on Monday. "As usual, I warned them to watch out for cars. That's what I used to tell them every day before they left for school."

But moments later, a police reservist swerving to avoid another car rand them over. Inspector Edna Mamonyane of the metro police said a case of culpable homicide and negligent driving had been opened, but the driver had not been arrested.

"A driver is arrested on the scene of an accident only if he is drunk. [This driver] was not, so the court will decide if he has to be locked up."