Limpho Sello
FOURTEEN passengers died in a horrific accident at Ha-Makoanyane, in Mafeteng when the driver lost control of the minibus after a break failure on Monday evening.
Police said the driver failed to control the vehicle and it fell off a cliff killing 10 passengers on the spot.
Speaking to the Sunday Express yesterday, the officer commanding Matelile Police Post Senior Inspector Motsamai Kholumo said four other passengers died at Queen Mamohato Memorial Hospital where they had been admitted.
Senior Inspector Kholumo said 22 passengers survived the accident that occurred while they were on their way from Mafeteng to Ribaneng in the same district.
“Some are still hospitalised while some have been discharged including the driver of the vehicle,” Senior Inspector Kholumo said.
“It is now our hope that there will not be any more deaths.”
One of the deceased passengers was reportedly stuck in the wreckage and had to be removed by the Disaster Management Authority.
Senior Inspector Kholumo said it was crucial for drivers to ensure that their vehicles are road worthy before they drive on the roads to avoid such accidents.
“The accident was avoidable had the driver taken caution before going onto the roads. However, investigations are still ongoing and the postmortem results for the deceased are also underway,” he said.
Senior Inspector Kholumo identified the driver who is recovering from home as 25-years-old Limpho Mohau from Qeme, Ha-Mohasoa in Maseru district.
For his part, Maliepetsana legislator Mpalipali Molefe said a dark cloud was hovering over his constituency and the neighbouring Matelile constituency.
Mr Molefe said he was heartbroken when he visited the scene of the accident on Tuesday.
“I visited the scene so that I could report to the government and see what could be done to assist the victims. I am now engaging the government so that possibly we can hold one burial ceremony for the deceased.
“The government also needs to treat this accident as a tragedy.”
He said he hopes to visit all the affected families before meeting with the community leaders such as chiefs and councilors to discuss the burial arrangements.
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