Boksburg blast: We just want to know the truth, says bereaved Xaba family
As a Johannesburg- based law firm prepares to institute a class action lawsuit against various stakeholders, the family of Thokozile Xaba says all they want is the truth about what led to the deadly tanker blast that claimed the 54-year-old’s life.
Xaba, who succumbed to her injuries on the 1st of January at the Milpark Hospital, is one of 12 staffers at the Tambo Memorial hospital that died when a tanker that was transporting LP gas exploded after it got trapped under a low bridge, leaving a trail of destruction and loss of life.
The death toll from the fiery Christmas Eve incident stands at 37, with the health department saying at five others remain in hospital.
The facility, which is in the vicinity of the explosion, suffered structural damage while staffers who were in the parking lot suffered extensive burns.
Koena Sekoba, Matlakala Maxakaza, Billyboy Mahoa, Peggy Maila, Kgothatso Magopane, Evelyn Majatladi, Audrey Shezi, Khensani Thobela, Patricia Modisakeng, Thandeka Mbatha, Winnie Hobyane, and Xaba were all remembered at a healing service attended by colleagues, senior health officials and representatives of the bereaved families.
Xaba’s younger brother, Sibusiso, said while her injuries appeared better when compared to others, she was badly burnt.
He described his late sister as a good person, who was called to the profession because of her selflessness which was felt by the community of Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal where she grew up.
"She was a good person. She was a nurse by calling because even before she took on the nursing profession, she helped a lot of people back home.”
Xaba had only been working in Gauteng as an enrolled nurse for a year and a half when she met her tragic death. Sibusiso says while they’ve reports of the driver’s alleged efforts to move curious onlookers and motorists away from the tanker, they want answers about what happened.
“We know through the media that the driver followed all the protocols, and there were no markings on the bridge. Right now, I don’t believe that we know the whole truth. We just want to know if there was any monitoring system in place from the company, to see if the driver was on the correct route how often did he consult with the monitoring system, and when they loaded the truck did they observe the height restrictions,” he added.
RH Lawyers incorporated announced it has been instructed by at least 20 affected people, including survivors, bereaved families, and homeowners whose properties were damaged, to pursue a possible representative action suit.
Xaba’s family says they have not been contacted by the lawyers, but they are interested to know more about the truck company and who owns it, as they fear that if political figures have a stake in it, the case may ‘disappear’.
At the same time, Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said while she was disappointed to see the driver of the tanker released from police custody without being charged, she believes him and other who are potentially those liable, including companies Innovative Staffing Solution and Infinite Fleet Transport, will be held to account.
ALSO READ:
