The grieving family of the Grahamstown schoolboy who died after being hit by a prison vehicle are concerned about the well-being of the driver.
The grieving family of the Grahamstown schoolboy who died after being hit by a prison vehicle are concerned about the well-being of the driver.
Anele Mcanda (17) was cycling with a friend on the N2 during the school holidays, on Tuesday 7 April.
The friend was unharmed.
The Mcandas, who are mourning the tragic death of their son, told Grocott's Mail the driver was traumatised by the incident and had been showing great support for the family.
Anele's mother Yandiswa Mcanda said on Wednesday 15 April, "He feels very bad about what has happened and he hasn't stopped calling since the day of the incident.
He lives in Transkei, but he also visited us and showed great support."
Mcanda said the fact that the driver waited for the police to give them a statement at the accident scene was a sign of remorse and showed a strong character.
"The poor man was taken to a doctor because he was very shaken by what happened."
Yandiswa also said they are also worried about Anele's best friend, who witnessed the horrific accident.
"We couldn't speak to him and ask him about the details of the accident because he was crying non-stop.
He was still struggling to come to terms with what had happened.
"But we are glad that the school has reopened, so he can focus on his studies."
According to Yandiswa, Anele was cycling with the friend to visit his grandmother at a farm on the N2 towards Peddie when the vehicle hit him.
A case of culpable homicide is under investigation against the Correctional Services official who was driving the state vehicle.
Last week Correctional Services provincial spokesperson Zama Feni said the official works for the Willowvale Correctional Centre in the former Transkei.
The Makana Fire Department's William Welkom, whose team was among the first to respond to the scene, said the incident occurred around 1pm, approximately 12km from Grahamstown on the N2 to Peddie.
According to Welkom, the vehicle was travelling in the direction of Peddie when the cyclist attempted to cross the road.
"It appeared that he didn't observe properly before he crossed," Welkom said.
"The driver tried to clamp on the brakes, but it was too late."
Welkom said the vehicle was slightly damaged. However, unconfirmed reports suggest that the car is a write-off.
According to police spokesperson Mali Govender, it will be up to the state prosecutor to determine whether to charge the official.
"The docket is with the prosecutor, who will have to determine whether the accident was intentional or not. No arrest has been made," said Govender.
Anele was a Grade 8 pupil at CM Vellem Higher Primary school in Joza.
Grade 8 teacher at CM Vellem, Fatiswa Frank, said Anele will be sorely missed.
"He was a likeable, shy boy and was very neat in his school uniform," Frank said.
The family said the department of correctional services has made no contact with them.
Anele was the second of four children. He was buried on Saturday 17 April 2015 at his home in Lindelihle, Extension 6.
