A memorial service to honour and mourn the premature deaths of the 10 victims who died tragically in the early hours of the first day of 2011 at the now infamous Basotho Inn is to be held on Thursday, 6 January 2011. Hundreds of residents from the local Ipelegeng community are expected to attend the solemn service scheduled to commence at 12:00pm at the Ipelegeng Community Hall.
A mass funeral for the victims of the stampede is to be held on Sunday, 9 January 2011 at the Ipelegeng Sports ground starting at 8:00am.Though there are speculations as to what might have caused the stampede, findings in this regard are still a matter of an ongoing in-depth investigation by a multi disciplinary and interdepartmental task team led by the police.
All spheres of government coordinated by the leadership of the Provincial Executive Council led by Premier Thandi Modise, organs of the progressive mass democratic movement, churches and organs of civil society have shown compassion and rallied support for the bereaved families. The tragic incident has shocked the nation and captured the attention of the local, national and international media in the past week.
Meanwhile, James Thembiso Lepholletse, 47, who was arrested and charged with
culpable homicide soon after the incident is expected to appear again in court on Friday, 7 January 2011 for his bail application to be heared.
Further charges might be added to the charge sheet as it has been established that Lepholletse had been trading illegally as his operating license with was for a food outlet with limited sale of beer, wine and spirits served with a meal and not a tavern.
MEC Mohono had earlier urged police not to leave any stone unturned in their investigation as to what might have caused the tragic incident. Mohono had said that the investigation should include whether the owner of the tavern had taken precautionary measures to ensure the safety of patrons at the tavern in accordance with his license.
“Should this not be the case, they should consider charging the owner of the tavern for negligence and pursuing profit at the expense of safety of his patrons. Someone should be held accountable for the incident which has robbed the families and community of valuable lives who were in the prime of their youth,” Mohono had emphasised.
She earlier described the incident as the worst new year celebration disaster ever to be experienced in the province and called on members of the community to assist police in their investigations.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 381 9123
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Memorial and funeral service of Ipelegeng stampede victims
Province
