04 Feb 2018

Five of the seven players of Gumare United who were involved in a fatal road accident were buried on February 2 (Friday) and February 3 (Saturday) in Gumare and Etsha respectively.

Those laid to rest on Friday (February 2) were Lethogonolo Maenge (25), Brain Seremile (17), Banewang Joseph (24) and Christopher Mojakwe (25), while Gothusamang Motswakhumo (26) was buried on Saturday (February 3) in Etsha 6, his home village.

The players were involved in a car crash along the Gumare/Sehithwa road last week on their way to participate in constituency games in Sehithwa.

In his condolences message on behalf of government, Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Dr Alfred Madigele said the departure of these young men did not only affect the families and Gumare community but the nation at large.

He said what happened to Gumare United players was a rare case in Botswana, hence the country at large was bereaved.

However, Dr Madigele said ultimate departure of the players was God’s plan, adding that God had a set plan for everyone on earth as to when and how they were going to leave this planet.

For his part, Member of Parliament for Ngami, Thato Kwerepe also said the nation was saddened by the tragedy, urging the nation to come to terms with what had happened without apportioning blame.

He said it was disheartening to see such young talents being buried as they were the future professionals of the country, adding that they would also have lifted Gumare flag high.

The area MP therefore encouraged other Gumare United players to continue the legacy, adding that parents should also not discourage their children from playing football because of what happened.

As part of government support, MP Kwerepe said the Office of the President pledged P5 000 to each of the affected families because constituency league was a government initiative.

The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund also assisted the families with the sum of P7 500 each.

He also said the deceased should be seen as heroes because they died doing what they had passion for, hence they should be celebrated.

On behalf of the Botswana Football Association president, Ngami regional secretary, Juta Moreotsile said as the custodians of football activities in the country, they were saddened by this ‘unusual misfortune’, hence their condolences to the families.

It is suspected that the accident occurred when the driver lost control of the vehicle and it veered off the road, rolled several times leaving five passengers dead.

The other two who were admitted at Nyangabgwe Referal Hospital in the intensive care unit died days later, taking the death toll to seven.

The two will be buried in Gumare sometime this week. ENDS