[News] Four people die as wall collapses during payment of bride price ceremony

Four people have been confirmed dead after a wall collapsed on guests during payment of bride price ceremony (lobola) in GaChuene Thokgwaneng, South Africa on Saturday October 4.

It was gathered that people attending the ceremony were seated in a tent which was positioned next to an unroofed building, when strong wind blew. The wall collapsed, killing three instantly and injuring several others. One of the injured later died in hospital.

Family spokesperson and brother to the bride, Phinias Yika said;

“As the Yika family, we are still in shock about what happened on Saturday. It was supposed to be a celebration day as they were paying a bride price for my sister … it was a lobola negotiation ceremony.”

Phinias said the incident happened quickly, noting that the wind started picking up around 5pm. The bride and her in-laws had already left when the incident occurred.

He added;

“It was 1.5m or 2m away from the wall. The wind was so strong and collapsed the wall. It fell on top of the tent while people were inside. It happened so fast. After a few minutes there was dust and we couldn’t see what happened, but we knew that there were people inside [the tent]. After getting a clear view of what happened, that is when we saw that there were people trapped inside and we tried to remove them.

“For the lobola negotiations we finished early, at about 12pm to 1pm. The in-laws said they were going to fetch their bride at about 5pm. Immediately after they left, the disaster started. They had already left with their bride and most of people had left to accompany the bride.

“The few who were remaining and were involved in the incident were the ones who were left behind.”

He said the couple was still traumatised by the incident, especially the bride-to-be. Phinias also revealed that it was not uncommon for roads in the area to be damaged and roofs blown away during windy and rainy weather.

The eyewitness said;

“She cannot even get out of the house right now. She can’t even talk to anyone. She is still in shock, she is also still afraid.

“We are still in shock, even my wife and everyone in the family is still in shock. We don’t know what to do. We don’t know what to say. We didn’t sleep last night. This thing is still new, we are still imagining that incident.”

South African Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo said the police in Lebowakgomo have opened an inquest docket, and had identified the deceased as Tiisetso Bushy Macheka, 36, Lesego Ribisi of Hwelereng village, 18, Phinias Maripane Kganyago of Gamashashane and Samson Sambo.

Limpopo social development MEC Nkakareng Rakgoale sent her condolences to the families of the victims. The Department’s spokesperson Witness Tiva said a team of social workers had been deployed to provide psychosocial support to the families and other affected parties.

Tiva said;

“Other departments and other government institutions are also being brought in so that they can attend to identified areas of need.”