KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has condemned a brutal bridge attack that claimed the life a Pietermaritzburg mother, and promised to improve security in the area.
Madhumathie Bunwarie, 62, was killed on Sunday 29 September when a car battery was thrown from a bridge and struck the car she was travelling in on the N3, near the Pavilion Shopping Centre. The car battery reportedly crashed through the windscreen, hitting Bunwarie on the head.
At the time of the incident, Bunwarie and her family were returning to Pietermaritzburg after attending a funeral in Durban.
“This appalling act of mischief and criminal recklessness has not only robbed a family of a beloved mother, but it has shaken the entire KwaZulu-Natal community. We cannot, and will not, tolerate such inhumane and cowardly behaviour that brings untold pain and trauma to innocent people,” Ntuli said.
Ntuli extended his condolences to the Bunwarie family and their loved ones. “No words can ease the grief they are feeling but as a province, we mourn with them and promise to act,” Ntuli said.
The Premier has called on law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the individuals responsible for the heinous act.
He stressed the need for justice, not only for Bunwarie but for all victims of violence and reckless criminality in the province.
“I have instructed the Department of Community Safety and Liaison to work closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to increase police visibility and patrols in high-risk areas, particularly near bridges along major highways. We must ensure that incidents like this are prevented at all costs.
“The safety of our people is non-negotiable. Additional security measures, including the installation of surveillance cameras and heightened monitoring of bridges, will be explored urgently to deter such cowardly acts of violence,” Ntuli said.
Ntuli further urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to law enforcement without delay.
Riona Gokool, Democratic Alliance (DA) KwaZulu-Natal Spokesperson on Transport welcomed Ntuli’s commitment to exploring additional security measures – including the installation of surveillance cameras and heightened monitoring of bridges.
“The DA is extremely concerned that such horrific acts of violence are still continuing years later, with no real intervention from authorities. First, we saw the throwing of rocks at vehicles on major routes and now car batteries are being used to cause death and destruction. This lawlessness is a clear indication that criminals have no fear of police services or the consequences of breaking the law. Their despicable actions are also a shocking indication of the lack of respect for other lives,” the party said.
The DA called on the Premier to make good on the promises made during his budget speech earlier this year, including tackling crime more robustly.
“We further call on him to increase the visibility of Metro Police, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and KZN’s Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) at all hot-spots in our province. He must also ensure that authorities strictly enforce the law and make swift arrests that lead to the successful prosecution of perpetrators. The people of our province must be able to move freely without fear while innocent lives cannot continue to be lost due to heinous crimes,” Gokool concluded.
