The Premier of the North West Province, Supra Mahumapelo has handed over temporary shelter, house furniture, food parcels, blankets, clothes and mattresses to the Mogale family on Wednesday.
The Mogale family lost six of its members as a result of fire that burned down their four-roomed shack on Sunday morning.
Speaking during his visit to the family on Wednesday, Premier Mahumapelo said the provincial government is with the families during these difficult times and will ensure that they receive the necessary support.
“It is painful to see so many members of a family dying in such horrific circumstances. It is so unfortunate, but we will leave everything in the hands of the Almighty.
“As a caring government, our hearts and prayers are with you and we pray that God be with you during these trying times,” Premier Mahumapelo told family members.
The Premier was accompanied by, among others, MEC for Social Development Fenny Gaolaolwe, Rural Environment and Agricultural Development Manketse Tlhape, Executive Mayor of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality Justice Makolomakwa and Kgosi Jeff Molete of Bakolobeng.
Five other family members survived and two of them were admitted to Gelukspan Hospital, while three survived uninjured.
Kgosi Molete expressed his concern over an increasing trend of white local farm owners who dumps farm workers in the outskirts.
“As we send our condolences to the family here, I would also like to raise a concern about our white farmers who continue to kick out farm workers after working for them for a very long time.
“They dump our people here and create informal settlements without even engaging the traditional leadership about their reasons and alternative settlement for these workers,” said Kgosi Molete, adding that he will raise the matter again on the relevant platforms.
Since the incident, the Provincial Disaster Management Teams together with the Department of Social Government and Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality have been offering support to the family.
The Premier expressed his appreciation to the Department of Social Development for providing counselling to the family and the local schools where the children attended.
He also announced to the family that the Department of Local Government and Human Settlement together with the municipality will ensure that they urgently build a Breaking New Ground (BNG) house for the family.
A family member, Fannie Mogale expressed his appreciation for the support.
“It is tough times in my life at the moment and the support I am receiving from government since the incident is been very good.
“The messages of condolences are also comforting for me and my family and I would like to thank government for the support,” he said.
For enquiries, contact:
Brian Setswambung
Cell: 076 012 4501
E-mail: bsetswambung@nwpg.gov.za
