Government has dispatched a twenty-member team of professionals in social development and psychology to assess and provide immediate assistance to the families of the 45 victims of the bus accident that happened near Mamatlakala in South Africa.
Deputy Director, Social Development in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Ellen Kgotlhang explained earlier today during a kgotla meeting in Molepolole that the purpose of the team is to provide an inclusive shock response and social protection services, including psychological support.
She said the team has already assessed 31 households. From these assessment, they have registered 280 household members.
Furthermore, Kgotlhang explained that 34 households members are currently receiving psychological support.
"We will continue the assessment exercise to determine the extent of social development and psychological support that these households need. We have also managed to identify and assist households who were entirely dependent on the victims of the accident," Kgotlhang said.
She said this psychological support has also been extended to members of the ZCC church.
Deputy Permanent Secretary, responsible for Social Development in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Mmamikie Kamanakao also said the ministry will also support with food to be eaten during the period before the burials.
Kamanakao said they would also send psychologist to South Africa to assist the accident survivor, eight year old girl, Lauryn Siako and her mother. Siako is still in hospital in South Africa where she receiving medical care.
