Family of Mlondi Ndlovu who was crushed by a truck demands justice as municipality accused of a cover-up.
According to Dailysun, the family of three-year-old Mlondi Ndlovu, who was fatally crushed by a municipal garbage truck in October 2024, demands justice and has accused the Steve Tshwete Municipality of trying to conceal details surrounding the child’s death.
Mlondi was allegedly playing with his twin brother in the Rockdale informal settlement in Middelburg when a municipal refuse removal truck allegedly reversed and drove over him, crushing his head in full view of residents and his sibling.
More than seven months since the harrowing incident, no action has been taken against the driver, leaving the family devastated and angry.
Mlondi’s gogo Sibongile Maseko said the driver fled the scene after the child was killed and had to be chased down by community members before he eventually stopped.
“The driver tried to deny he was involved, but there were many witnesses who saw what had happened, including Mlondi’s twin brother. Even today, that child cannot stop talking about the incident,” she said.
Sibongile said the family has been left traumatised and frustrated by the municipality’s silence and failure to honour promises made shortly after the child’s death.
She said Steve Tshwete Mayor Mhlonishwa Masilela visited the family after the incident and pledged to assist with funeral arrangements and ensure the driver was held accountable.
“None of that ever happened. Instead, we’ve been sent from pillar to post. Municipal officials are now trying to protect the driver and deny that the truck was even at the scene,” she claimed.
In May, the family joined forces with uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party in a protest to deliver a memorandum of demands to the municipality.
It was only after this demonstration that they received a formal response Sibongile described as “unsatisfactory and dismissive”.
Municipal spokeswoman Lerato Kgomo told Daily Sun the matter is before court and therefore sub judice.
“The municipality has conducted an internal investigation, and we are waiting for the court’s outcome before we determine any disciplinary or legal action. Some of the family’s allegations are hearsay and will need to be verified,” she said.
Mpumalanga police spokesman Brigadier Donald Mdhluli confirmed that a police investigation had been completed and the case file was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for a decision on whether to prosecute, or not.
Meanwhile, Sibongile said the family would not rest until justice is seen to be served.
“We want justice for Mlondi. We cannot allow this to be swept under the rug. like nothing happened,” she said.
