Rustenburg – North West premier Supra Mahumapelo has expressed sadness over the death of four women who died when a pleasure boat carrying about 200 passengers on the Hartbeespoort Dam caught fire on Saturday afternoon.
“On behalf of the North West provincial government, we send our condolences to the families affected by this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult moment,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
“We urge our police to ensure that the necessary investigations are conducted to determine the cause of the fire,” Mahumapelo said.
In a separate statement, North West tourism MEC Desbo Mohono also offered condolences.
“We wish the other passengers who may be hurt a speedy recover; our heartfelt condolences to the families of the dearly departed,” Mohono said.
Mohono thanked all the emergency teams and members of the public who had reacted swiftly to the accident, thus preventing the loss of more lives.
North West police spokeswoman Lt-Col Pelonomi Makau said the ferry caught fire at about 1pm on Saturday afternoon.
“Following an incident in which four women died when a cruise boat caught fire at Cosmos Boat Club in Hartebeesport Dam, police are investigating a case of inquest,” Makau said.
She said the cause of the fire was still unknown.
African News Agency