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Four family members, who died after the Easter holiday crash outside Modimolle last week, have been laid to rest
Four family members, who died after the Easter holiday crash outside Modimolle, last week have been laid to rest at Xikundu, outside Malamulele in Limpopo.
Hundreds of community members and government officials attended the funeral at Mayeke Primary School.
The Maswanganyi family was travelling from Gauteng ahead of the Easter holidays when their vehicle collided with another one on the N1.
All four coffins carrying the remains of the deceased were not taken to the family home in line with cultural practices and beliefs.
The deaths of Collins Maswanganyi, his wife Patience, and their two children, Katekani and Kuhlula, have been described as deeply tragic and heartbreaking by the community. One child, who survived the crash, is currently receiving medical treatment at Bela-Bela Hospital.
A neighbour, who also died with the family, was buried last Monday.
The family was laid to rest at a family cemetery in Xikundu.
In keeping with family cultural practices and beliefs, the coffins carrying the remains of the deceased were not taken to the family home, but went straight to the venue.
Family spokesperson Elisa Maswanganyi says according to their customs, those who die from unnatural causes are not brought to the homestead.
“The reason why we did not take our beloved ones remains to the family home is because the elders advised that when someone died from unnatural causes you cannot have their remains enter the home yard as it will bring bad luck to the family. However we are now confused because these are not the first people to die of car accident in our family, we are even starting to think that there must be something we are doing wrong culturally,” he says.
VISUALS: Hundreds of community members and government officials have gathered at the Mayeke primary school in Xikundu outside Malamulele in Limpopo, for the funeral service of four members of the Maswanganyi family.
📸: Koketso Motau pic.twitter.com/YFtE8SEHA1— SABC News (@SABCNews) April 11, 2026
RELATED VIDEO | Four family members killed in N1 crash buried
Limpopo Transport MEC Violet Mathye expresses concern over the increasing number of road fatalities during the Easter holiday period. She was amongst government officials, who attended the funeral service.
Mathye says the crash in which they died happened when an alleged drunk driver made a u-turn on the N1. The driver has since been arrested.
“We do not know what informed that decision, but in my view it should not have happened. On our N1, we cannot just decide to make a U-turn. It was a busy day, with people coming back from Gauteng to Limpopo for the Easter holidays. We are saddened by the deaths of these people from the same family. However, we are saying that we will allow the law to take its course,” says Mathye.
Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba urges motorists to take responsibility for their actions to help ensure safety on the roads.
Dr Ramathuba delivered the eulogy of the four Maswanganyi family members. She also says reckless driving remains one of the leading causes of road fatalities, particularly during the busy holiday periods.
“I must say this so that when you are a driver and you are behind the starring wheel, to avoid this, you must think twice before you take a decision, we are fighting for the N1 road to be upgraded, but in the meantime, we still drive reckless. When you are driving everyday in the road you must think twice,” she says.
The Department of Transport in the province says it has recorded more fatalities this Easter period compared, to last year.
