By Staff Reporter
MHLABA-JB – Residents of Mhlaba-JB village were left in shock on Tuesday, 25 November, after a grieving family was forced to carry the body of their loved one when a mortuary vehicle failed to reach their homestead due to severely muddy road conditions.
Witnesses say three family members, along with a mortuary assistant, were seen walking through the village carrying the wrapped body after the vehicle became stuck and could not continue further.
The emotional scene unfolded in full view of the community, with residents looking on in disbelief as the family made their way through the muddy terrain.
The incident has amplified frustrations within the community, with villagers saying poor road conditions have long affected essential services, including emergency response and funeral transport.
The road becomes almost impassable during rainy weather, making access particularly difficult for larger vehicles such as hearses.
Community members say this latest incident highlights ongoing service delivery challenges that have gone unaddressed for years.
Local leaders are calling on the Greater Tzaneen Municipality to urgently rehabilitate the affected roads, stressing that such distressing and undignified situations should never occur again.
