04 Apr 2024

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has expressed gratitude to the President of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa and his government, for the support and solidarity with Batswana, following the road accident that claimed 45 lives of Batswana at Mamatlakala bridge in the Limpopo Province, South Africa, during the eve of Easter holidays.

President Masisi was yesterday, the seventh day since the mishap, addressing a national memorial service, at the University of Botswana Indoor Sports Arena to remember and pay tribute to the 45 St Engenas Zion Christian Church (ZCC) brethren and other citizens who also met their demise during the Easter holidays.

“This, by far, was the most tragic and saddest Easter weekend in the living memory of our nation’s state,” he said. Dr Masisi, who was accompanied by First Lady Neo, also thanked the South African multi-sectoral team for providing that which was desperately needed in responding to the fatal accident.

Additionally, Dr Masisi expressed gratitude to the South African government for the outstanding support that was given to the eight-year-old girl, the sole survivor.

He also thanked the South African Police Service (SAPS), health and emergency service providers for providing the necessary assistance and information sharing that was desperately needed.

Dr Masisi also thanked fellow heads of state from across the globe for the condolence messages, as well as the private sector for the support they offered during this time of need. He also thanked St Engenas ZCC for its cooperation with both the Botswana and South African governments, by providing the necessary and essential information to guide investigations within the shortest possible time.

Furthermore, President Masisi acknowledged the excellent work ethic of both the Botswana police and SAPS for meticulous conduct in undertaking the investigations, identifying bodies and the critical work they performed before the final repatriation and handing over of bodies for burial.

Further, the President thanked Batswana, across the length and breadth of the country for having spoken in one voice, acknowledging the fatal accident as a national tragedy that required a coordinated national response.

The souls of the departed have not gone in vain, as such, Batswana should take solace in President Masisi’s announcement that government had set up a fund dubbed Motlamedi Disaster Emergency Fund to assist the bereaved families in case of mass fatality incidents.

The details of the fund, he said would be provided in the shortest possible time. In order to save lives, Dr Masisi appealed to all citizens to always exercise caution on the roads.

He encouraged the nation to continue standing united in prayer. ENDS