14 Nov 2015

The Minister of Health, Ms Dorcas Makgato, has confirmed that 126 Matsha College students were involved in a road accident near Dutlwe in the Letlhakeng Sub-district yesterday (November 13). 

She told a press conference in Gaborone this afternoon (November 14) that seven students lost their lives, 69 were admitted at Scottish Livingstone Hospital in Molepolole, 28 at Princess Marinah Hospital with three in the intensive care unit while a few others were admitted at both Gaborone Private Hospital and Bokamoso in Mmopane.

Eight students were briefly admitted and discharged at Letlhakeng clinic. The driver and the assistant driver of the truck were admitted at Scottish for medical attention and counselling.

The students, who are Remote Area Dwellers, were being transported to their villages after completing BGCSE examinations at Matsha College and BOCODOL in Kang. Their ages ranged between 15 and 22 years.

Ms Makgato, who addressed the press conference with Minister of Education and Skills Development, Dr Unity Dow, said concerned ministries as well as Office of the President were coming up with interventions and modalities to arrest the situation.

Interventions included counselling sessions for the affected families and Matsha College community. Government was looking on logistics to provide students’ families with accommodation and other necessities.

Ms Makgato appealed to the nation to be united during this time of sorrow. She cautioned the public against posting accident pictures in the social media before families are notified.

For her part, Minister Dow said it would be irresponsible to pre-empt what could have caused the accident and the reasons why the students were transported on a truck instead of a bus because stakeholders were yet to meet.

Meanwhile, stakeholder met at Scottish earlier today while assistant minister of education Mr Fidelis Molao would lead a team to Matsha College. BOPA