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Nduduzo Tshuma Senior Political Reporter
VICE President Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday donated foodstuffs worth $7,000 to the families of eight people from Tsholotsho who were killed in an accident in Botswana last week.VP Mphoko also donated 200 litres of fuel to be used to ferry the accident victims from Botswana into the country on Tuesday.
On top of that, the government has also availed $200 for each accident victim.
Addressing the families in Tsholotsho yesterday, VP Mphoko said he received news on the tragedy from his son Siqokoqela when he was in Mozambique on government business.
“I was in Mozambique then proceeded to Botswana. My son sent word that there had been a disaster and I told him to do what was supposed to be done to assist,” he said.
VP Mphoko said death affected everyone and told the families that their loss was shared by the country.
“Government says they will provide $200 for each victim. We’re here to mourn together with you after this disaster and we brought something because when death occurs people gather and we thought that the food stuffs would help in feeding the people,” said VP Mphoko.
“Let us put all this in the hands of the Lord because he is the ultimate healer. We’re always here to assist not only in bad times but also in good. Do not hesitate to approach us if you need any assistance.”
Chief Gampu who was also in attendance during the hand over urged the local community to encourage their children to seek proper documentation to travel legally.
“We want to thank Vice President Mphoko for coming down here to express his condolences and assist the bereaved families. We’re happy that the government allowed him to come down to the grassroots and mourn with the people. We also thank Choppies Supermarkets for the foodstuffs,” he said.
“I would like to appeal to parents to encourage their children to seek proper documentation. They can come and get letters to secure birth certificates from the chief for free. I’m begging you to encourage them to get passports.”
Chief Gampu said parents paid 1,500 Rands or a beast to Omalayitsha to illegally take their children to South Africa, yet acquiring a passport costs only $50.
Tsholotsho South legislator Cde Zenzo Sibanda said the death of the 11 people was a disaster that touched the country resulting in the government releasing money to assist the victims.
Headman Malila, Alteck Juta Sebele, whose eight relatives perished in the accident paid tribute to VP Mphoko for the assistance.
“When I received the news on Sunday, I wrote a letter to Chief Gampu, the MP and the police informing them about the accident. They advised me to come back home and they started working towards repatriating the bodies,” he said.
“We’re happy with the assistance from our leaders because we feel that the weight on our shoulders has been partly lifted.”
Of the 11 people who died in the Botswana accident, eight were from the same extended family in Ward 16, Malila Line in Tsholotsho.
Another one was from Ward 14, also in Tsholotsho while two others are from the neighbouring Bulilima district. The nine accident victims from Tsholotshoare Menson Ncube, 35, Davison Sibanda, 31, Eunice Moyo, 24, Sheron Moyo, 23, Liston Mlilo, 29, Nozithelo Sibanda, 22, Langelihle Phiri, 24, and Boniter Ncube as well as Methuseli Sibanda whose ages were not disclosed.
The names of the two other accident victims from Bulilima could not be immediately established.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter