Picture: The funeral of five family members in Madipelesa village
By OBAKENG MAJE
The family of Molokwane in Madipelesa village, near Taung said even though the passing of five family members left them devastated, they managed to give them a dignified send-off. This comes after Tshepo, Keamogetse, Leano, Kaelo and Moitshepi Molokwane died in a head-on collision accident between a minibus taxi and Polo TSI along r31 Road in Danielskuil two weeks ago.
Masego Mocumi, who was working as admin clerk at Mamutla clinic and her daughter, Remo, also died in the accident and were buried last week in Mamutla village.
The family spokesperson, Modisa Molokwane said: “We are grateful that we managed to bury our loved ones even though it was not easy. Some government officials visited us during the week and promised to assist us financially, however, we have not received anything thus far.
“We just hope that they will fulfil their promises. The deaths of our loved ones left us devastated and traumatised. However, we put everything before God because he is our creator.”
Molokwane also sent his gratitude to those who came out in numbers to give support in the time of need.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the accident claimed nine lives on the spot, of whom three were children.
“Eleven people were hospitalised, of which, three injured were the occupants of the white Polo TSI, while eight people were in the minibus taxi. The police are investigating the circumstances that led to these tragic accidents,” said Shemane.
The Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola conveyed her sincere condolences and expressed her deepest sympathy to the members of the bereaved families and the injured.
Otola also appealed to road users to obey all rules of the road, exercise caution and show good behaviour, while on the road.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) in Northern Cape, Ofentse Mokae, who is also DA Northern Cape Spokesperson of Transport, Safety & Liaison said they have submitted a written request to the chairpersons of the portfolio committees of Roads and Public Works and Transport, Safety and Liaison to convene a joint meeting with the respective departments in conjunction with Sanral.
Mokae further said they will also include relevant municipalities so that a comprehensive approach to road safety along the R31 can be taken.
“Government’s failure to increase road safety along the R31 and branching roads is aggravating the unnecessary and tragic loss of lives on what is notoriously known as the “road of death”. On Sunday, ten people died and eleven were injured in two separate accidents along the R31 route in Danielskuil and Kathu respectively.
“These are not isolated accidents. In February, 13 people were injured when a minibus overturned. In September last year, seven people were killed on the R31 in close vicinity of Kuruman in a head-on collision and the list goes on.”
Mokae said they have addressed their concerns on various platforms, including legislature portfolio committee meetings. He said the DA’s Provincial Leader, Harold McGluwa, even raised the matter in a previous debate on the State of the Province Address (SOPA).
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