Ventersdorp - North West premier Supra Mahumapelo arrived at the funeral service of former security guard Paul Motshabi in Tshing, Ventersdorp on Sunday morning.
He was accompanied by the the mayor of NW 405 municipality Kgotso Khumalo. Mourners sang hymns as they filed into the community hall. Motshabi, 48, was left disabled after he was beaten by the late Afrikanerweerstandsbeweging (AWB) leader Eugene Terre'Blanche. He was crippled and suffered brain damage as a result of the attack. He died on August 23 of natural causes.
The provincial government carried his funeral costs as part of its objective to reconcile, heal, and renew the province. "We always step in on situations such as this one because we are a caring government of the people whose main objective is to promote peace and stability in the province. Our province does not believe in promoting hatred or revenge but it promotes reconciliation, healing, and renewal at all times," said Tebogo Ramashilabele, the director of reconciliation, healing, and renewal in the office of the premier.
“We are indeed saddened by the passing away of Paul Motshabi who suffered a lot even after being beaten by Eugene Terre’Blanche. We, together with NW 405 local municipality, have taken over the costs of the funeral, ranging from tents, chairs, tables, groceries, and many other things that are needed to give Motshabi a dignified funeral as one of our own in the province," he said.
Motshabi had worked as a security guard on Terre’Blanche’s farm together with four of his family members. The Motshabi family appreciated the support they received from the provincial government.
"I am satisfied with the support we are receiving so far from our government because I was not even sure where we were going to get the money for the funeral. I really appreciate the support from the bottom of my heart because my brother will get a dignified funeral this coming weekend,” a brother of Motshabi said.