Two more Kugas up in flames this weekend
This past weekend saw two more Ford Kuga vehicles go up in flames on our South African roads.
Ford has come under fire after a number of their vehicles have caught fire this year. Times LIVE has estimated that 23 Kugas have burst into flames. Last year Decemeber saw Reshall Jimmy die while trapped inside his burning vehicle. The vehicle was said to have an electric fault – which then led to the fire.
The latest incident saw the Kuga of Sabelo Cele go up in flames on the N1, while he and his family were on their way to Lanseria airport on Sunday.
A Facebook page titled, “Ford Vehicles Burning” has been created for victims to share their stories.
Cele wrote:
“On Sunday morning I was driving to Lanseria Airport on the N1 south to drop off my wife and 18 month old son for a 07h55 flight to Durban. I checked my rear view mirror and I saw smoke coming from the back of the car. I told my wife the car is smoking I was going to pull over. The smoke started coming out from the engine as soon as I stopped in the yellow line. My wife and I both jumped out the car and she unbuckled our son from his car seat. Flames started coming out from the bonnet while I was grabbing some of our belongings from the inside the car. I managed to get some items out, but when I went to the boot, it wouldn’t open. My wife’s luggage bags and my sons items, like his pram, were in there. I ran off to join my wife and son who were already far from the car and looked on to watch our Ford Kuga go up in flames. My wife is still in shock, not about the car burning, but about what could have been if the doors didn’t open.”
The Democratic Alliance (DA) provinicial leader in Kwa-Zulu Natal, Zwakele Mncwango witnessed another Kuga burst into flames and posted images on his Facebook and Twitter pages.
On Saturday owner of the vehicle, Nivesh Sewpersadh, was on his way to the Ford dealership after having problems with his vehicle.
He told The Mercury, “I noticed smoke and pulled off to the centre island. I opened the door and had one leg out before the car even came to a stop.”
“I took the service books, my cellphone and keys and ran across the road. Then I saw it was in flames,” said Sewpersadh.
A petition has been created at change.org to get justice for Jimmy, who passed away and the other victims who suffered at the hand of their vehicles.
Images via: Facebook and Twitter