MEC SHINGA SADDENED BY TRAGIC LOSS OF SIX FAMILY MEMBERS IN CAR ACCIDENT IN SCOTTBURGH

By Sfiso Xulu.

• The devastating loss of six members of the Gumede family has plunged the Cabhane community into deep mourning, leaving loved ones grappling with shock, disbelief, and profound sorrow.
• ⁠MEC Mbali Shinga’s personal visit to the Gumede household brought comfort and compassion, as she conveyed her heartfelt condolences and shared in the family’s grief.
• The Department of Social Development has committed to sustained support, providing psychosocial services and Social Relief of Distress assistance to help the family cope during this difficult period.

The community of Cabhane in UMzumbe Ward 16 is mourning the devastating impact of a fatal road crash that occurred on Monday, 10 November 2025, on the Scottburgh Highway. The incident claimed the lives of six members of the Gumede family, leaving the South Coast community deeply shocked and heartbroken.

In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, the Department of Social Development deployed a team of professional social workers to the Gumede household. The team provided essential psychosocial support, offered emotional comfort, and conducted a comprehensive house profile to assess the family’s immediate needs following their sudden loss.

Building on this initial intervention, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development, Ms Mbali Shinga, visited the Gumede family on Thursday, 13 November 2025, to personally convey her condolences and reaffirm the department’s commitment to supporting them during this difficult period. She expressed her deep sorrow over the tragedy, noting the immense shock caused by the loss of six family members who were returning from visiting relatives in UMzumbe.

Following her visit, MEC Shinga instructed her department to intensify its support measures. The department has since committed to providing ongoing psychosocial services and will implement a Social Relief of Distress (SRD) intervention to ensure the family receives essential assistance, including food support, as they begin the long journey of healing.

The Department’s response underscores its commitment to fostering a compassionate society by providing care and support to vulnerable families during periods of acute distress. The assistance offered to the Gumede family reflects the department’s broader mandate to help communities rebuild strength, dignity, and stability when loss deeply disrupts their lives.