MEC SHINGA OFFERS SUPPORT TO ANOTHER BEREAVED FAMILY IN UMZUMBE

By Thuba Vilane.

• Five people, four of whom were from the same family, passed away in a tragic road accident in Umzumbe, a community still reeling from a similar loss days earlier.
• MEC Mbali Shinga, accompanied by municipal leadership, visited the grieving households to offer condolences, psychosocial support, and assess immediate needs.
• A team of social workers has been deployed to provide ongoing counselling, trauma support, and practical assistance to the bereaved families.

Ms Mbali Shinga, the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development, visited a bereaved family in Umzumbe on Saturday following a tragic road accident on Friday night, 14 November 2025, which resulted in the loss of five lives.

Heartbreakingly, four of the victims were from the same family, while the fifth was a close relative. The victims, aged between 64 and just 3 years old, have left the community deeply shaken. This tragedy follows another fatal accident in the municipality earlier in the week that claimed nine lives, compounding grief across Umzumbe.

MEC Shinga was joined by Umzumbe Local Municipality Mayor, Cllr Bongani Nyuswa, and several councillors as they visited the affected households to offer condolences and provide comfort to the grieving families. The delegation also assessed the immediate needs of the households, many of whom are still overwhelmed by shock and trauma.
In her message of sympathy, MEC Shinga said:
“On behalf of the KwaZulu-Natal Government and the Department of Social Development, I extend my deepest condolences to all the families who have lost their loved ones. To lose so many members from one family is an unimaginable pain. We are here to mourn with you, to support you emotionally, and to ensure that you do not walk this difficult journey alone.”
A dedicated team of DSD social workers has been deployed to work closely with the families. The teams are offering ongoing psychosocial support, trauma counselling, and practical assistance as the families prepare for the funerals. The Department emphasised that this support would remain available for as long as the families need it.

UNANNOUNCED VISIT TO SERVICE OFFICE

Earlier in the day, MEC Shinga also conducted an unannounced visit to the Umzumbe Local Service Office to observe frontline service delivery and engage with members of the community who rely on the Department for social assistance. The visit follows concerns raised by community members about the quality of services at SASSA and DSD offices.
Reflecting on the oversight visit, MEC Shinga said:
“Our unannounced visits are not meant to catch anyone out, but to strengthen accountability and ensure that our communities receive the quality services they deserve. These visits allow us to hear directly from our communities and ensure that everyone accessing SASSA and DSD services is treated with dignity, respect, and efficiency.”