North West Premier Thandi Modise comes to the rescue of families of water related and gender based violence victims
North West Premier Thandi Modise has confirmed that her Office will meet the funeral costs of the 58-year old woman who allegedly collapsed and died during a water interruption in Borelelo Township near Swartruggens.
The body of the mother of three, Shuki Moiloa had been lying in the mortuary since the 9 January 2014 as her family could not afford her funeral costs.
“We had to respond to the desperate situation as a caring and compassionate government and wish to thank the Provincial Secretary of Cosatu, Solly Phetoe for bringing the matter to our attention,” said Premier Modise.
The Chief of Staff in the Office of the Premier and a Special Programmes Co-ordinating in the Private Office of the Premier recommended intervention after they were assigned by the Premier to visit the family and Kgetleng Revier Local Municipality on Wednesday to confirm the allegation by Phetoe that the family is indigent.
The Office of the Premier is coordinating urgent efforts to resuscitate two dysfunctional boreholes in the area and establish two more to ensure that water supply which was cut when after a local farmer allegedly closed a valve is restored for the benefit of the community.
Though the water interruption and allegations of racism are still under investigation, the interim report suggest that a local farmer is closing the valve to pressurise the municipality to use boreholes on his farm at a charge of R38 000 a month.
It would appear that when the valve is closed, local farmers get water downstream for their livestock when the valve is closed hence they are prepared to at their own cost tanker water to the local community. Premier Modise’s office is also assisting with funeral costs of the murdered pregnant Blydeville woman who was murdered by her 32-year-old Zimbabwean lover two weeks ago.
Police were allegedly called to the scene, where on arrival they found the bodies of the 22-year-old woman and her daughter with blood all over them. The woman was pregnant and her womb was cut to remove the foetus and its throat was slit with a knife.
Premier Modise had condemned the horrendous act and said that no amount of anger justifies the heinous act. She had called for the heartless person responsible needs to be permanently removed from society.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Head of Communication and Spokesperson
Mobile: 083 629 1987
Tel: 018 388 3705
E-mail: Lkgwele@gmail.com
