23 Aug 2022

Government has been commended for acting swiftly in assisting families of Mafhungo-Hubona fatal accident that claimed 16 lives on July 21.

Addressing a full council meeting on Monday, Tutume Sub-district Council chairperson, Mr Anthony Chebani said government had authorised P160 000, with each of the eight affected families receiving P20 000, to assist with funeral expenses.

He said the accident shocked the nation and it would take time for people to heal, particularly the families that lost their loved ones.

Mr Chebani noted that the council also provided counselling for the affected families, which they realised was necessary after conducting an assessment.

In addition, the chairperson appreciated the first family, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and the first lady Ms Neo Masisi for visiting not only the accident scene, but paying condolences to the bereaved families at a kgotla meeting in Mafhungo/Hubona.

They were accompanied by Minister of Works and Transport, Mr Eric Molale and area Member of Parliament, Mr Fidelis Molao.

On other issues, the chairperson decried the school dropout rate, which he said remained a great challenge in the sub-district.

Mr Chebani noted that in the first quarter of 2022, there were 41 dropouts across schools in the sub- district.

He said from the 41, a total of 29 deserted junior secondary schools, while 12 dropped out due to pregnancy.

He added that this was a worrisome phenomenon that called for concerted efforts of the district leadership, parents and teachers to ensure its reversal.

He, however, said regional education offices had put measures aimed at strengthening implementation of ‘Circle of Support in Schools’ in place.

These, he said, were aimed at reducing the rate of dropouts and engaging all stakeholders to follow up perpetrators of defilement, some of whom were well known to the families as well as the victims.

Mr Chebani said through proper involvement of authorities, such could be brought to book.

He said despite the challenges they were facing in the education sector, schools’ needs remained one of their top priorities when it came to annual budget.

Mr Chebani said this financial year they had managed to secure funding for the construction of a block of three classrooms at Maphorisa Primary School in Tutume.

He lamented that some primary schools in such villages as Nata and Tutume had reached their enrolment limit, leading to overcrowding, which was not condoned, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He thus said had it not been for financial constraints, they would construct new schools, as a matter of urgency. ENDS