Soweto, 6 September 2025 – In a trauma-filled moment, a South African father was plunged into unimaginable grief today when he accidentally ran over and fatally injur£d his own young son—who had been playing beneath the vehicle at the time. The incident occurred in a residential area of Soweto, leaving the community in shock.
Family members say the father, whose name has not been released, had parked the car outside their home during the day. In a tragic lapse—possibly caused by stress, distraction, or fatigue—he forgot that his child was underneath. Moments later, as he moved the vehicle, he heard a scream and realized with horror what had happened.
Neighbours rushed to the scene, but paramedics confirmed the worst. Authorities are treating the tragedy as a heartbreaking acc!dent. While no foul play is suspected, a police spokesperson said they will conduct routine inquiries to confirm the circumstances. “This appears to be a heartbreaking and unintended event,” the spokesperson said.
The family is devastated. Neighbours describe the scene as “unbearably sad.” One close friend tearfully shared, “He’s a good man who loved his child dearly. This is the worst nightmare imaginable.” A community representative has offered counselling services to the family and is urging parents in the area to be extra vigilant, especially around vehicles and children.
A vigil is being planned for later today, as the family prepares to lay their child to rest. In the meantime, the police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the moments leading up to the incident to come forward, but so far, there are no known eyewitnesses.
This tragedy serves as a painful reminder of how quickly a routine act—like moving a parked car—can end in disaster when children are playing nearby. Authorities and community leaders are calling on residents to adopt extra safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Latest Vacancies at Volkswagen South Africa
Beneath this sorrowful report, there is a glimmer of opportunity for job seekers across South Africa. Volkswagen Group South Africa, a longstanding pillar of the automotive industry in the country, has announced a range of current vacancies—spanning engineering, finance, logistics, sales, and more.
Volkswagen Group South Africa: Employer Overview
Volkswagen Group South Africa operates from its headquarters in Kariega, Eastern Cape—formerly known as Uitenhage—and has been assembling vehicles locally since the 1950s. Today, it produces the iconic Polo and Polo Vivo models for both domestic and export markets Wikipedia+1. With a workforce consisting of several thousand employees, the company remains a cornerstone of the South African automotive landscape Wikipedia.
How to Explore Opportunities
The official Volkswagen South Africa careers portal invites prospective candidates to explore positions within both corporate and dealership contexts. With over 120 dealerships nationwide, roles are available in sales, aftersales, and support, complemented by corporate opportunities and training via dealer academies Volkswagen South Africa. Additionally, the Volkswagen Group Job Portal provides listings across the spectrum—including apprenticeships, engineering roles, mobility services, and financial services Volkswagen Group+1.
Selected Current Openings
According to industry-focused job boards, the following are among the most recent listings available as of mid-2025:
- Engineering Data Controller – Responsible for bill-of-materials data and project support across VWSA. Posted November 2024 MyJobMag.
- Pilot Hall Engineer (Vehicle Electronic Commissioning Programming) – Handling commissioning programs in production, re-advertised position MyJobMag.
- Technical Product Specialist (Staff Level) – Provides repair support to Audi, VW, and VW Commercial dealership networks in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa MyJobMag.
- Automation Engineer (OT & IT) – Manages automation systems within the paint shop MyJobMag.
- Financial Controller / Personal Assistant – Located in the Component and Engine Plant, overseeing financial planning and administration MyJobMag.
- Process Planning Engineer – Supports production through process design and technical assistance MyJobMag.
- Logistics Operations Coordinator – Based in Uitenhage, this role focuses on coordination and control of logistical workflows MyJobMag.
- Project Engineer – Ensures quality release and productivity targets for new projects and locally produced vehicles MyJobMag.
- Audi Sales Operations Manager – Leads Audi South Africa’s operational strategy from Sandton MyJobMag.
- OD & Engagement Consultant – Based at the Leadership Academy in Kariega; development and engagement role MyJobMag.
- Temporary Technical Data Analyst – Supports bill-of-material (BOM) accuracy for production components MyJobMag.
- Product Leader: Product Implementation and Lifecycle Management – Manages lifecycle activities and change management for vehicle projects MyJobMag.
- Internal Communications & Employee Engagement Officer – Supports communication strategy and internal stakeholder engagement MyJobMag.
- Temporary Warehouse Supervisor / Group Parts Quality Engineer – Based in Centurion; ensuring logistics operations and quality standards MyJobMag.
Additional positions have been noted through recruitment postings:
- Temporary Vehicle Electronics Planner – Located in Pilot Hall (Kariega). Requires electrical/mechatronics diploma, experience in vehicle electrics, and project coordination skills. Deadline: 10 February 2025 vacancieswithcollen.co.za.
- Financial Analyst – NSO Controlling Department in Sandton; role includes pricing, forecasting, budgeting responsibilities vacancieswithcollen.co.za.
- Service Marketing Support Coordinator – Supports service programme strategy, customer satisfaction, and dealer profitability vacancieswithcollen.co.za.
Older vacancies still being re-advertised include:
- Temporary Pre-Series Analyst (Logistics, Kariega) – Coordinates parts readiness for pre-series vehicle builds. Required engineering/logistics background vacancieswithcollen.co.za.
- Industrial Engineer (Production, Kariega) – Improves productivity, designs processes and layouts, supports continuous improvement vacancieswithcollen.co.za.
- Temporary Technical Data Analyst (Logistics, Kariega) – Manages BOM changes and component introduction to prevent line stoppages vacancieswithcollen.co.za.
Application Guidance
Applicants are encouraged to navigate the Volkswagen Group Job Portal to view full job descriptions, requirements, and to submit applications online. The portal streamlines the process, including profile creation, document upload, and application tracking volkswagen-karriere.de.
For dealership-specific roles, applicants may submit CVs directly via local dealership career pages—such as Soweto Volkswagen’s site which invites CVs for available positions sowetovolkswagen.co.za.
Other recruitment platforms like MyJobMag also provide listings of VWSA roles under broad industry categories, including engineering, finance, and operational support MyJobMag.
Tips for Candidates
- Match your qualifications: Whether it’s engineering, logistics, finance, or communications—review job requirements carefully.
- Act during deadlines: Some roles held early-year deadlines (e.g. February or January 2025), while others list no specific cutoff—apply promptly.
- Use the official portal: It ensures your application goes directly into VW’s recruitment system.
- Leverage broader networks: Roles may also appear on recruitment sites like MyJobMag or dealership pages.
The Bigger Picture
Volkswagen South Africa continues to invest in local manufacturing and skills development: as of April 2024, VW confirmed a R4 billion rand investment at its Kariega plant that will introduce a third model (the Tera SUV) alongside the Polo and Polo Vivo Wikipedia+1. This not only underscores VWSA’s commitment to the local economy but also signals sustained employment and career growth in the sector.
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