Africa-Press – Botswana. Preparations are ongoing ahead of Mr Pitseng Gaoberekwe’s burial at Metsiamanong in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve(CKGR) on Tuesday.
President Advocate Duma Boko had announced that the body of Gaoberekwe (77) would be laid to rest during the International Human Rights Day commemoration, a decision which had been described as an act of dignity and justice.
Ghanzi District Commissioner, Mr Ketumile Ramotadima confirmed in an interview that efforts have been made to ensure smooth facilitation of the two events.
We have liaised with the bereaved family and the established local organising committees, made up of central and local government departments and other parastatals, he said.
Furthermore, he said since the area had inadequate infrastructure, there would be provision of water and sanitation services, telecommunication network and internet connectivity by Botswana Telecommunications Corporation.
“The provision of the internet connectivity would allow other media personnel to live stream events of the day to the entire world†he affirmed.
Furthermore, he said they had anticipated that the state television would broadccast live proceedings of the event, but that would not be possible due to unforeseen circumstances.
He regretted that they had not been able to host large numbers of people due to limited resources.
Mr Ramotadima added that there would be a fuel tanker specifically for government fleet, and would be strategically positioned at Molapo settlement, 95km away from Metsiamanong.
As for individuals attending on their own capacity, the District Commissioner advised that they should bulk extra fuel.
The CKGR is vast with an extreme challenging terrain and Mr Ramotadima advised that alternative routes to reach Metsiamanong would be, Xade gate 375km, Kuke gate 355km, and Khutse gate 135km in the Kweneng district. He sternly warned travelers to be cautious and to travel in groups for safety reasons.
He explained that arrangements had been made to transport relatives of the bereaved family from Letlhakeng and Boteti districts.
He also explained that regular briefings had been scheduled ahead of the burial day to keep those who had converged at the park updated.
Family spokesperson, Mr Smith Moeti who is also the area councillor, confirmed that they were working cordially with the district leadership regarding the burial logistics.
He noted that they had already identified the coffin and extended appreciation to the dispatched teams at Metsiamanong who were taking care of the necessary arrangements.
Meanwhile, the Guest speaker of the two combined events would be President Advocate Duma Boko. He would be accompanied by officials from the Office of the Ombudsman, Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services and Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure as well as representatives from United Nations.
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