01 Aug 2017

The Deputy District Commissioner for Letlhakeng, Mr Boammaaruri Otlhogile says government has not reneged on its promise of assisting families of the deceased students of the infamous Matsha truck accident that occurred in 2015.

Responding to complaints by some councillors during the Letlhakeng sub council forum, Mr Otlhogile said government promised to assist each family of a deceased student with a structure worth P50 000,

but said some families indicated that they would need the assistance in monetary form as they already had suitable houses.

He said arrangements were then made for the disbursement of the funds, save for one family in Khudumelapye whose disbursement was still pending owing to logistical hitches.

He however said the family is always kept up to date on the development.

He also indicated that one of the affected families in Sorilatholo was equally given the P50 000 funds which they used on the already under-construction house.

He said unfortunately, the funds ran out before the house could be completed, leading to the family calling for further assistance which was not possible.

He said the issue was even explained by the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso when the mother of the deceased student raised the complaint during a kgotla meeting at the village.

He also indicated that all the families have been assisted safe for the said Khudumelapye family, and that the delay was being followed up.

Mr Otlhogile’s response followed complaint from councillor for Kaudwane/Sorilatholo, Mr Olebogile Katameto who said some families of the deceased Matsha truck accident have not been assisted as promised, citing the Sorilatholo family.

Mr Katameto also complained that the families were never updated about the delays. He said it was time the issue was settled so that the families could find closure.

On other issues, Mr Katameto also complained that some residents of Sorilatholo who were assisted with cattle under the affirmative action initiative were still awaiting some of their stock as they were partially assisted.

He said some of them have been waiting for so long to an extent that they have now given up hope and have suggested to be assisted with small-stock as a substitute for cattle.

He said in the past, the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development promised to follow up on the issue, but never did.

In response, Senior Social Welfare Officer, Ms Goabaone Basha said they did not have any pending cases of livestock assistance as all the beneficiaries were fully assisted in 2013. She said the procedure was that beneficiaries should identify cattle suppliers with the department only doing the payments.

She said if there were still some people who have not been fully assisted, then it would be a few isolated cases which they would look into. ENDS