Young man (21) dies after being crushed by wall

In what seems to be a freak accident, a 21-year-old resident of Mpheni Block A died last week when a brick wall fell on him.

The incident happened last Thursday (4 April) at around 16:00. Hulisani Tshishonga, along with his elder brother and a friend, was busy demolishing a wall at the home where he was staying. The family wanted to extend the house. From what could be established, the wall collapsed and crushed Hulisani.

His uncle, Mr Mpho Tshishonga, said this week that they were finding it hard to accept his death as they had been expecting a bright future ahead of him. “He was a first-year student at the University of South Africa, studying for a bachelor of law degree. We were expecting to have a lawyer in our family,” he said. His grandmother, Ms Alidoli Tshishonga, said that they would appreciate any kind of assistance to bury Hulisani.

Vhembe police spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi said that the case was being investigated by the police at Waterval. “He [Hulisani] was certified dead by emergency personnel upon arriving at the scene. No foul play is suspected,” Dathi said. Dathi said that the deceased’s body was transported to the government mortuary at Elim for an autopsy.

Hulisani’s memorial service will be held on Thursday, 11 April, and he will be laid to rest on Friday, 12 April, at the Mpheni graveyard.

Date:12 April 2024

By: Thembi Siaga

Thembi Siaga started as an intern during 2021. He assisted with video photography and editing. He also produced numerous small documentaries, focusing on the Vhembe region and its people. Currently he works as a freelance journalist, covering stories in the Elim area.

Thembi studied at the Tshwane University of Technology, where he completed his diploma in Journalism in 2021.

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