On Sunday 08 January 2023 at about 19:44 tragedy struck in the Daveyton area when two motor vehicles, involved in an illegal drag race. The incident took place at the corner of Simunye Street and Madikizela Drive in Etwatwa. The two cars also collided with several pedestrians.

It is alleged that a white Toyota Etios and a white Nissan 1400 were engaged in an illegal drag race. The driver of the Toyota Etios lost control of the vehicle and collided with a group of minors and adults. The victims are between the ages of 8 and 37 years old, who were also walking on the sidewalk.

ILLEGAL DRAG RACE CLAIMS YOUNG LIFE

An 8-year-old boy died on the scene, and two 12-year-old boys who sustained slight injuries were transported to the nearest hospital for treatment. Three other pedestrians aged 12, 30 and 37 years old were treated for shock by emergency services.

The +-50-year-old male driver of the Toyota Etios, who was attacked by community members and had his vehicle set alight. He was transported to the nearest hospital for treatment. Furthermore, the unknown driver of the white Nissan 1400 fled the scene on foot to avoid the violent community members, who set alight his abandoned vehicle. Members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Etwatwa Precinct, arrived on the scene to restore order.

The remains of the boy were also taken to the Springs Mortuary. A docket of culpable homicide was also opened by the EMPD, at the Etwatwa SAPS police station.

The EMPD urges members of the community to report illegal street racing to the authorities immediately, and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.