The angry villagers claim that the bus driver deliberately caused an accident that claimed a number of lives and left many in a critical condition.
Residents vowed that they would never board the bus in question even if it comes to their village. Some said that they would rather take lifts rather than give profit to a business that does not care about their lives.
An elderly resident of Mogotlhwane, Basinyana Saitsoketsa, does not mince his words about the issue and the accident. He still has not come to terms with the death of his nephew and his daughter-in-law who is in critical condition at Princess Marina Hospital.
“I do not want those gentlemen here. They are so proud and pompous. When a tragedy such as this one occurs, one has to be remorseful but they do not care. This alone is an indication that they had planned the whole thing”.
Saitsoketsa said the bus operator is motivated by greed. He has been in the bus industry for quite some time and he does not want competition from other businesses.
“You should see the buses that he is making noise about. They are tattered,” he said furiously.
Saitsoketsa repudiated rumours that he wants to harm the bus operator involved in the accident.
He says he is a peace loving man who will only punish the culprit by ensuring that he does not board the bus.
“A boycott on the buses will teach him a lesson”. He described the man as very arrogant as he often picks fights with almost everyone.
Another resident, Monica Molefe, vows that even in bad weather, she would not board the bus again.
“I am so angry and would not allow him to get away with this.”
He says the bus operator walks around the village in pride. A combi driver is said to have been pirating when the bus driver forced his vehicle to overturn.
The accident occurred on a curve a few kilometres from Ntlhantlhe village. In a meeting at the Kgotla, the Magotlhwane residents unanimously agreed that they would not board the buses of the ‘culprit’.
Magotlhwane chief, Judah Phiri, noted the displeasure of the villagers over the issue. He denied allegations that he has encouraged villagers to boycott the bus.
“I would not do such a thing, but to be honest with you, people are very angry but I have tried my best to calm them down. Not only Magotlhwane residents are angry but some of Ntlhantlhe villagers are angry too.”
He said the war between transport operators has been going on for some time but it is unfortunate that innocent passengers are often caught in the crossfire.
However, Phiri said that he has always advocated for diplomacy between the two groups. “People would be suspicious that I might rally behind those who advocate an for embargo because my child was involved in that accident too, but that is not the case. I’m a fair person,” said the soft-spoken Phiri.
He said he heard rumours that the accident was planned.
But Edwin Koontse, the bus driver accused of causing the accident, tells a different story. He feels that the whole thing is made up just to sabotage him. He says that he is innocent.
On the fateful day, he took the usual trip from Ranaka to Otse. When he reached one of the bus stops, he found an illegal combi operator whom he asked politely not to carry passengers because he does not have a permit to operate on the route. The combi operator ignored him and continued to take passengers until his vehicle was full.
Koontse says that after collecting a few passengers, he left but the combi driver followed and kept overtaking and then braking in front of him.
“He wanted me to hit him at the back but I tried my best to avoid the collision.”
When they arrived at a curve not far from Ntlhantlhe, the combi driver repeated his antics and the bus bumper hooked the combi and overturned it. Since then, Koontse has been receiving threats from the families of the deceased.
“It is more frustrating that their chief is involved. He has instructed them not to board my bus.” Koontse said he lives in fear as he has received numerous threats from the residents of Magotlhwane.
He said that he feels betrayed by the residents that he has transported for many years.
“Now that there are new combis, they do not want us to operate in their village.” A resident of Ntlhantlhe, Tirelo Thebetsile, said this is likely to destroy the cordial relationship between the two villages.
