Africa-Press – Botswana. Government has spent about P6 million in transportation, repatriation and funeral expenses of the 45 Batswana who perished in the Mamatlakala bridge bus accident in Limpopo, South Africa on March 28.
Addressing the Kweneng District full council meeting on Monday, the District Commissioner, Ms Tebogo Bagopi explained that bulk of the funds was used to assist families to repatriate bodies of their loved ones.
She thanked government and that of South Africa as well as all stakeholders who made all processes possible from the day of the accident until burial.
“Government was involved in all the processes from the very first day and was engaged by their counterparts in South Africa.
We also commend government for extending a helping hand in covering all the costs from mortuary services, transportation of families for identification, lodging and food expenses, repatriation together with burial expenses,” she said.
She also thanked President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, saying they led by example and made sure that all processes were accelerated to assist the accident victims.
She further thanked the Botswana Police Service, South African Police Service and foreign affairs ministries for working closely to make sure that all the processes were run effortlessly.
Again, she thanked Batswana and other stakeholders who include the social protection department, psychologists, pastors and donors for their support to the bereaved families.
The district commissioner also commended councillors for their immense support, saying their advice and leadership helped them work better to assist all families.
On other issues, Ms Bagopi told the council meeting that they would be closing the Bakwena account, which was set up for monetary donations to help the bereaved families.
“About P82 000 was thus far received into the account and the money will be shared equally among all the affected families, after which we will close the account,” she said.
However, she encouraged Batswana to make donations to the Motlamedi Account, a national account which had been set up by the Office of the President to receive donations from Batswana. The donations will be used to assist those in need in times of such tragedies.
Councillors were also told that the young girl who survived the accident was doing well and still under government care.
For his part, council chairperson, Mr Allen Jacob also thanked all who played part in managing the ordeal.
He said the district council managed to assist 39 families of the 45 victims with psychosocial support, supply of food relief to 20 families who needed immediate assistance and gave out P1 500 worth of food parcels twice to help during funeral arrangements. The council, he said also aided in the distribution of donations and vouchers to all affected families.
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