02 Aug 2022

 President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has urged Batswana to unite in prayer with families of the 16 people who died in the horrific July 28 road accident at Mafhungo/Hubona village.

The President, who stopped over in Mafhungo/Hubona yesterday to console the victims’ families and the nation as a whole, said the loss of so many lives in a single accident was uncommon in Botswana.

He asked Batswana to unite, support and console affected families.

Dr Masisi said the tragedy did not only affect victims’ families but government and the nation at large. 

The President said for that reason he found it important to come in person to condole the bereaved.

Acknowledging the bad state of Botswana’s roads, Dr Masisi said plans were afoot to reconstruct most of them.

He appealed to all road users to observe road signs and drive cautiously at all times. 

Exercise caution, respect other road users including passengers, he said adding that motorists should always bear in mind that reckless driving could result in the loss of life.

The President decried failure by some drivers to observe speed limits which he said called for mindset change.

Dr Masisi said reconstruction of the A3 Road, on which the accident occurred,  had been delayed by financial constraints worsened by COVID-19.

He said the pandemic led to government diverting funds from major projects to purchasing COVID-19 vaccines.

“We had managed secure P300 million from China to do the feasbility study and it was done but we could not get the funds for reconstruction,” said the President. 

Minister of Transport and Public Works Mr Eric Molale, who was accompanying the President, said funds had been secured for some projects such as reconstruction of A3 Road at Zoroga and Senete Bridge. 

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Kgosi Tendani Manyiwa of Mafhungo/Hubona pleaded with government to expedite  reconstruction of the A3 Road. 

  Accompanied by First Lady Neo, President Masisi also visited the six victims of the accident hospitalised at Francistown’s Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital. 

The President interacted with the patients to gain first-hand information on their medical care, recovery and the extent of their injuries.

He shared words of encouragement  and wished them speedy recovery. 

The hospital’s clinical manager, Dr Kobamelo Motshidisi informed the President that the six were in good condition and steadily recovering while other patients had since been discharged.

However, he disclosed that one of the drivers of the three vehicles involved in the crash had been transferred to Bokamoso Private Hospital where he remained in critical condition. 

A second patient had been transferred to Tati Riverside Hospital with severe head injuries and was also in critical condition, he said. 

President Masisi assured the patients that government would ensure they got proper medical attention.

Also in the President’s entourage were the area MP, Mr Fidelis Molao and Minister of  Labour and Home Affairs, Ms Annah Mokgethi.ENDS