DITSHWANELO Press statement on the Matsha College students truck accident
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
It caused the death of seven (7) students and injured one hundred and twenty-six (126). The deceased and the injured students were aged between fifteen (15) and twenty-two (22). The students, beneficiaries of the Remote Area Development Programme (RADP), were on their way home after completing BGCSE examinations at Matsha College and BOCODOL in Kang.
According to initial investigations, a tyre burst may have caused the accident and the overturning of the truck. Further investigations need to be conducted in order to have a full understanding of the causes of this terrible road accident. Light must also be shed on the reasons why the students were transported in an open truck rather than in a bus.
Batswana who marched peacefully for 'Justice for Tshepi' demanded answers. They have now received a detailed account of police investigation and a promise that the file is with the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The real test is whether the state now keeps its word without further prodding. In his address, the minister asked the nation to trust the process. He spoke of rigour, not neglect, and pointed to 10 months of...