taxi accident
Monishka Govender|Published
An 18-year-old’s dream of becoming an air hostess has been cut short after she was allegedly struck and dragged by a taxi in uMhlanga, leaving her family devastated.
Her older sister travelled home from China to attend her funeral.
Sarah Govender, from Trenance Manor, died in hospital on Saturday, two days after the incident, which occurred at the corner of Canegate and Armstrong Avenue, about 20 metres from her college in uMhlanga, on October 8.
Her older sister, Leeandra Rajesh, 30, who works as a teacher in China, said she was struggling to come to terms with her loss, particularly because she was thousands of kilometres away when her sister was critically injured.
“I never knew that when I left South Africa a month ago that would be the last time I held her,” said Rajesh.
She said her mother initially called her on Thursday morning to inform her that Govender had been knocked by a taxi but was stable.
“I did not think that it was severe, as the hospital did not explain the extent. My mum got there and when the doctors updated her, she called me and said that Sarah had severe internal injuries and needed multiple surgeries,” she said.
Rajesh said she was shocked and distressed by the news, knowing she could not be beside her sister or see the extent of her injuries for herself.
“My immediate reaction was stress and shock, knowing that I am not there and cannot see for myself,” she said.
According to the family, Govender was allegedly struck by a speeding taxi and dragged for about 20 metres before the vehicle stopped.
The driver, a friend of Sarah’s and another woman who witnessed the incident then carried her into the taxi and drove her to Netcare Umhlanga Hospital.
Govender sustained broken legs and ribs, as well as injuries to her pelvis and other internal organs.
Rajesh said she was left with many unanswered questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident and wanted the driver to be held accountable if found responsible.
“I have many questions, like whether the driver was intoxicated, whether he is going to be dealt with for his recklessness. How did it happen, with details? I would like to view the footage,” she said.
She also questioned how Govender was moved after the collision and wanted to understand the driver's immediate response.
“How could he pick her up in her condition? What was his first response when he saw this incident?” she asked.
For Rajesh, the loss has been made even more painful by the fact that she could not be with her younger sister during her final moments or support her mother immediately after the tragedy.
“Being far away means I did not get to say goodbye to my sister or hold her again. Not being able to be there with my mum during this time has really been a struggle, especially since she had none of her daughters by her side,” she said.
Rajesh had planned to return to South Africa in two years because of her work and relocation plans. Instead, she came home under heartbreaking circumstances.
“Coming back under these circumstances does not make me feel any happier about seeing family again. I struggle with the fact that I will not see or hear her at home,” she said.
She had also planned to buy Govender gifts when she eventually returned home. Despite the tragedy, she still bought her younger sister something from China.
“I still honoured that by buying something from China since she will never see it. Picking out the jewellery made me emotional because it was not the way I intended to buy her a gift,” she said.
‘We were inseparable’
Rajesh described Govender as more than just a younger sister, saying the two shared a close bond and did almost everything together.
“She and I did everything together. She was still a little baby in my eyes. In fact, I was more protective because I was so afraid of her getting hurt,” she said.
“We were really close and captured every moment spent together. In one word, I would describe our bond as inseparable.”
Although work and college commitments meant they did not always speak during the week, the sisters made time for one another through regular family video calls.
“On weekends and most evenings, we would do a video call as a family and talk about our day, or all the new things that I was learning or seeing,” said Rajesh.
Govender was particularly excited to see photographs of China during their calls and had been planning to visit her sister there next year.
Rajesh said Govender was a loving person whose bright smile and playful nature brought warmth and laughter to those around her.
“She had the brightest smile that would make you instantly feel loved. She was full of laughter and did silly things to make us all laugh. She always tried to be strong for everyone around her so they would feel warmer,” she said.
Beyond her loving personality, Govender had big dreams for her future. She loved planes and aviation and hoped to travel the world, meet new people and build a career in the industry.
“She loved planes and aviation. Her dream was to travel the world and to meet new people along the way. She also loved the Lord and aspired to work for God,” Rajesh said.
Govender had been looking forward to her birthday on November 23, an upcoming trip to Johannesburg for aviation training and completing her aviation qualification before starting her career.
She had also been saving towards a visit to China to see her sister.
Rajesh said knowing that her sister would never get to fulfil these dreams was devastating.
“She was extremely excited about completing her aviation qualification and starting her career,” she said.
Despite the circumstances surrounding her return, Rajesh said she was grateful to have the opportunity to be present for her sister’s final farewell.
“Even though coming under these circumstances is so heart sore, I am very grateful that I have the opportunity to be there for Sarah’s final celebration,” she said.
“As a big sister, I take my role very seriously, and I hope to be my mum’s strength during this difficult time.”
Calls for accountability
In the wake of Govender’s death, Rajesh has called for stricter laws, particularly concerning taxi drivers, and urged people to be more cautious on the roads.
“I hope that there are stricter laws implemented, especially for taxi drivers. I want the person that hurt her to be held accountable so he never hurts another person again.
“I also want more people out there to be cautious so this doesn’t happen to anyone else,” she said.