By Obakeng
Fochville- Two children have drowned after the raft they were on capsized at a resort near Fochville, North West province.

ER24 paramedics received the distress call and immediately responded to the nearby resort, fearing the worst. Once on scene, paramedics discovered that seven children, between the ages of 15 and 17, had been rafting when their vessel capsized. One of the children managed to swim to the shore before paramedics’ arrival.

“One of the ER24 paramedics, along with a paramedic from provincial services, immediately jumped into action, shouting to his partner to request backup before diving into the frigid water. After swimming out to the struggling children, he immediately grabbed on to four of the struggling children, assisting them slowly back to shore” Er24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said.

Once on shore, ER24 paramedics immediately began their assessment and treatment of the shivering children.

ER24 paramedics immediately began their search for the remaining two.

“After some time, emergency services found the young boy and girl near the banks with no signs of life. They were later declared dead” He said.

The four children that were rescued were treated for mild hypothermia before they were transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment. The paramedic that rescued the children from the water did not suffer any injuries.

When asked why he just jumped into the water, he later said, “I did not even think about it, I just took my flight suit off and dived in. The children needed my help. As soon as I felt the water, I was shocked as to how cold it was.”

Local authorities were on scene for further investigations and counsellors were called in to assist the fellow learners and teachers.-TDN
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Leeudoringstad-MEC for Human Settlements Public Safety and Liaison Nono Maloyi has again condemned those who accuses him of using the department’s housing delivery programme to campaign for elections.

MEC Maloyi did not mix words as he came hard on those criticizing the program during the continuation of hand over programme in Leeudorinstad on Friday.

About 112 families will as from today stay in proper houses, and abandon their shacks which most of are still build behind their new houses. Most of the beneficiaries have never stayed in proper houses before and the handover was, according to the department, a way of restoring their dignity.

According to the 51 year-old Mr Paulo Mokgosi the house is a greatest gift he has ever received. Mr Mokgosi who is a labourer at a local farm, survives with a stipend and social grants of his grand children.

He said that life has drastically changed for him and family.

“We used to stay in a shack, which from time to time needed to be repaired. We were from time to time fearing that we may loose our property especially during rainy seasons like this one. We are however happy and grateful that government has came to our rescue and build a beautiful house like this one. This will be a home for many more years to come,” said the Mokgosi.

According to MEC Maloyi, those who continue to accuse government about its service delivery programme, must ensure that they are clear with their facts, and stop attempting to score cheap political points, when government is achieving  its mandate.

“This is not electioneering as other suggest. We made a commitment as government and we are fulfilling it. We will not be deterred by prophets of doom who can’t even see the good and wrong,” said visibly worried Maloyi.

MEC Maloyi further urged all the 112 families who benefited from the housing delivery programme, to take care of the houses and make them homes. “Through this houses Government wants to make sure that your rights as a citizen of this country are protected.-TDN
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