Knysna-Plett Herald | Malawian breadwinner killed

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Malawian breadwinner killed
07:00 (GMT+2), Thu, 24 May 2012

Joseph Moyo will be buried in his country of birth, Malawi.

KNYSNA NEWS - A 28-year-old driver, Lwandiso Cetyiwe, has been charged with murder, after losing control of his maroon-coloured Volkswagen Polo on the Knysna Lagoon Road and subsequently killing Joseph Moyo, a 21-year-old Malawian man on Friday, May 18.

The Volkswagen Polo was travelling, allegedly at a high speed, in an Easterly direction during heavy rain when it seemed to aquaplane, causing the driver to lose control and crash into Moyo, who was cycling in the opposite direction.

According to Andre Visser, ER24 spokesperson, paramedics found Moyo in the road with fatal injuries. He was later declared dead on the scene. The driver was treated for minor injuries and taken to hospital by another ambulance service.
"It is time that Knysna Municipality did something to mitigate the number of vehicles spinning out of control in the rain on the N2 between the Total Garage and Old Cape Road," wrote a reader, after hearing about the accident. "Yet another serious accident in the same spot. This section becomes like a skid pan when it is raining."

A shocked Marina Reid, Moyo's employee, said shortly after the tragedy that she had been driving past the scene of the accident when she recognised her husband's bicycle and realised that the cyclist lying in the road was none other than her gardener. "We had given him the bicycle some time ago and when I saw it I immediately knew that it was Joseph that had been hit by the car," she explained.

According to Reid, Moyo had been living in South Africa for a year and working full-time for her family since February. Three weeks ago he survived a mugging during which his cellphone and weekly wages were stolen. "He hadn't bought a new phone yet; if he had, I would have been able to phone him to tell him not to come to work today [Friday] because of the rain. I wish he had a number on which I could have contacted him," said a saddened Reid. She further related how Moyo had put up a brave fight to prevent the muggers from stealing his treasured bicycle.

Reid explained that she was not only saddened by the loss of this young life, but felt great sadness for the Moyo family who live in the Nzimba district of Malawi. "His family relied on him; he sent his mother money every week and had recently bought a cellphone for his father." According to her, Moyo had been a hard worker with a happy disposition.

The deceased's relatives have been informed of his passing. It is understood that Moyo will be buried in his country of birth, Malawi.

The driver of the vehicle appeared in the Knysna Magistrate's Court on Friday, May 19 where he was released on bail of R500 and warned to appear in court on July 6. According to Captain Bernadine Steyn, provincial SAPS liaison officer, the original charge of culpable homicide had been changed to one of murder.

Knysna executive mayor, Georlene Wolmarans responded to the tragedy: "My deepest sympathies go out to the family of the deceased, as well as that of the driver. This is nothing more than a senseless tragedy and our prayers are with all those touched by this horrific incident."

Municipal manager, Lauren Waring said, "This tragedy has touched us all deeply - our thoughts are with all those affected by this awful accident.

"Maintenance on this road, from Azalea Street onwards, is a provincial function. The skid resistance was raised during site meetings with the provincial construction team, and it was reported to us that this was sufficient for the design speed of 60km/h. National campaigns like Arrive Alive constantly remind us via print media, radio and television to keep to the speed limit and to reduce speed during rainy conditions. It is unfortunate that these types of accidents still occur, despite these constant reminders to drive safely."

ARTICLE: FRAN KIRSTEN, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD JOURNALIST