Note to Editors: Find attached soundbites in English and Setswana by DA Caucus Leader in the North West Provincial Legislature, Winston Rabotapi.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) Caucus Leader in the North West Provincial Legislature, Winston Rabotapi MPL joined by DA North West Member of Parliament, Sello Seitlholo, DA Shadow Minister of Social Development, Bridget Masango MP and DA Deputy Shadow Minister of Public Works, Samantha Graham-Marè MP, recently visited the families of the deceased Thabo Mosupye and Kgaugelo Ngobesa who fell into and drowned in a borrow pit filled with water in April 2018.
The families informed us that the Moretele Local Municipality undertook to pay for the funerals of the boys, but payment of the account with the funeral parlour is still outstanding. They have also not received any other form of assistance from the Provincial Government.
The borrow pit was dug by Kholophela Construction Company while constructing a provincial road in the area. The company was contracted by the Moretele Local Municipality in collaboration with the Department of Public Works. The DA could not find any evidence that this company is registered on the supplier database.
To this day, the borrow pit is still not fenced off and remains a safety hazard to residents, especially when it fills with water during the rainy season. (See pictures here, here and here)
Over the past three years, six children drowned in various borrow pits throughout the Moretele Local Municipality.
The DA lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to investigate the preventable loss of young lives in this area and will also approach the office of the Public Protector to investigate possible negligence on the part of the municipality and Department of Public Works.
We will also submit written questions to the MEC for the Department of Public Works, Gaoage Molapisi, to determine the details of the contract with Kholophela Construction Company.
The MEC should also explain why no action was taken against this company after failing to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The safety of communities is a basic human right and should not be treated as optional.
The DA will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the Department and Municipality account for the deaths of these children.