Key Points
- An eight-year-old boy has died after a hit-and-run in Amalinda, East London, on Monday.
- The child was struck by a vehicle while crossing the road.
- The driver allegedly fled the scene after the collision.
- The boy was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.
- Eastern Cape Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha condemned the “heartbreaking and disturbing” incident.
- Department spokesperson Unathi Binqose described the crash as a “devastating blow” to the family and community.
- Authorities have appealed for witnesses and urged the public to come forward with any information.
- The Department of Transport extended condolences and emphasised road safety, especially around children.
What happened in the Amalinda hit-and-run incident?
As reported by News24, police confirmed that the accident occurred on a residential road in Amalinda, an area known for heavy afternoon traffic and frequent pedestrian activity. Witnesses told local reporters that the boy was attempting to cross the road when he was hit by a speeding vehicle.
Eyewitness accounts, cited by The HeraldLIVE, described how the vehicle “did not attempt to stop” after the collision. A resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, told journalists at the scene that community members rushed to help but were left “helpless” as the car disappeared down the street.
Police have since launched a manhunt for the driver, with officers combing nearby areas and reviewing CCTV footage from surrounding properties and businesses. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the victim pending family notification, but several neighbours told DispatchLIVE that the boy was a “kind and playful child who loved to ride his bicycle”.
How have local authorities responded?
Eastern Cape Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha issued a strongly worded statement on Tuesday condemning the incident. As reported by TimesLIVE’s Mawande Jack, Nqatha described the tragedy as “heartbreaking and deeply disturbing”.
“The loss of an eight-year-old child in such a senseless hit-and-run incident is heartbreaking and deeply disturbing,”
Nqatha said.
“No family should ever have to endure this kind of pain, especially as a result of such [alleged] reckless and inhumane behaviour.”
He called on the motorist responsible to surrender to authorities and urged members of the public to assist the investigation.
“I strongly condemn the driver who fled the scene instead of taking responsibility and seeking help,”
Nqatha added.
“We appeal to anyone who may have seen or heard anything related to the accident to come forward immediately.”
What has the Department of Transport said about the tragedy?
Department spokesperson Unathi Binqose also spoke with eNCA following the incident, expressing condolences to the grieving family and emphasising the broader issue of hit-and-run cases in the province.
“Hit-and-run incidents not only rob families of their loved ones but also deny them justice and closure,”
Binqose said. He described the Amalinda crash as “a devastating blow that has left both the family and community heartbroken”.
Binqose further urged parents and guardians to prioritise supervision of children in residential areas.
“The department further urges parents, guardians and all adults to take extra care in supervising children and assisting them when crossing roads, particularly in residential areas,”
he said.
Reiterating the department’s commitment to road safety, Binqose called on drivers to show compassion and responsibility.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family. Hit-and-run incidents remain a persistent and reckless scourge that we must confront through stricter enforcement and public awareness,” he added.
How are investigations progressing?
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that a case of culpable homicide and failure to stop after an accident had been opened. A spokesperson told DispatchLIVE that detectives were following several leads.
Preliminary inquiries indicate that the suspect may have been driving at excessive speed, though police have yet to release details regarding the type or make of vehicle involved. Officers have appealed for dashcam or security footage from nearby homes and businesses to assist in tracking down the suspect’s car.
Community members told The Citizen that they were planning a candlelight vigil at the site of the accident to honour the young boy’s memory and demand increased safety measures, such as speed humps and better pedestrian crossings in the area.
Why are hit-and-run cases rising in the Eastern Cape?
According to data from the Eastern Cape Department of Transport, as reported by TimesLIVE earlier this year, pedestrian fatalities account for nearly 40% of road-related deaths in the province. The majority of victims are children and the elderly, often struck on residential or township roads where speed limits are frequently ignored.
Transport MEC Nqatha has previously stated that the provincial government is “deeply concerned” by the rise in hit-and-run cases and has been collaborating with law enforcement to enhance visibility and compliance campaigns during the festive season.
Road safety advocacy groups, including Arrive Alive, have repeatedly warned drivers against reckless behaviour and urged both motorists and pedestrians to remain vigilant, particularly during holiday periods when traffic volumes increase.
How has the community reacted?
The Amalinda community has expressed collective grief and outrage. Neighbours and family friends gathered at the boy’s home to express their condolences and offer support to the bereaved parents.
Speaking to SABC News, a family representative described the child as “a bright young soul full of promise”. Local councillors have called for urgent government action to improve road safety infrastructure in high-risk residential zones.
Some residents took to social media to voice anger at the driver’s alleged decision to flee. One post, shared hundreds of times on Facebook, read:
“No parent should bury a child because someone chose to speed and run away. We demand justice.”
What road safety measures are being urged?
Officials have reiterated appeals for motorists to drive responsibly and pay attention to pedestrians, particularly in neighbourhoods where children play. Binqose emphasised that the Department of Transport is intensifying its holiday safety campaigns through increased patrols, roadblocks, and community outreach programmes.
“The safety of our most vulnerable road users must remain paramount,”
Binqose said.
“Every driver must understand that a vehicle, when misused, can become a weapon. Every life lost on our roads is one too many.”
What’s next in the investigation?
As of Tuesday evening, no arrests had been made. SAPS urged anyone with information to contact the Cambridge Police Station or call Crime Stop anonymously. Police sources told The HeraldLIVE that they were confident progress was being made, with several potential witnesses already questioned.
The Department of Transport said it would continue to provide support to the boy’s family and liaise with police to ensure justice is served.
“The community must help us bring the perpetrator to account,”
said Nqatha.
“We cannot allow such disregard for human life to go unpunished.”
