Durban – The bodies of teacher Mama Shabalala and a Grade 12 learner, only identified as Madlala, have been recovered using a helicopter after their car went over a cliff and plunged to the bottom of a ravine.
Kwazulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said the tragedy occurred on Saturday, 9 August 2025, in KwaSwayimane.
“It is not clear what caused a vehicle driven by Mama Shabalala to reverse and inadvertently fall off a cliff,” said MEC Duma.
A fellow teacher, Mbali Msomi, witnessed the tragedy and raised the alarm.
Msomi alerted Traffic Ambassador Ayanda Msweli.
“We acted immediately by calling for the helicopter rescue team and reinforcement,” MEC Duma said.
Narrating further details of the tragedy, MEC Duma said: “Mama Shabalala, a single parent, received this car last year as a gift from her children”.
“Sadly, she left us on Women’s Day”.
MEC Duma added: “The Helicopter Rescue Team worked under very difficult conditions to retrieve their bodies from the wreckage located more than 800 metres down the cliff.”
The MEC said he arranged for social workers to provide professional counseling services to the families.
“I sent a team from my office to visit Shabalala and Madlala family in Ward 3, KwaSwayimane, outside Pietermaritzburg,” MEC Duma said.
“May God strengthen the Shabalala and Madlala families in KwaSwayimane.
“We thank Rev. Xaba and our ambassador, Pastor Vidima, for being closer to the family.”
