South Africa: The Free State Provincial Government’s Executive Council, convened by the Premier – Mxolisi Dukwana, at 10 AM, on the 6th March 2023, at Free State House, deliberated on and considered a number of issues emanating from the untimely and tragic demise of MEC PH Makgoe, along with his protector – Warrant Officer (W/O) – Vuyo Mdi, at about thirty minutes past midnight, on 5th March 2023.
The Premier led the Executive Council in observing a moment of silence in memory of and respect for the MEC and his protector. Accordingly, on behalf of EXCO, the Premier formally confirmed the untimely demise of MEC PH Makgoe.
The Premier also weighed in and appealed to those that acted against violating the dignity and sensibilities of the bereaved families by saying and doing things on social media, as regards the circumstances that led to the fatal crash that claimed the lives of MEC Makgoe and his protector – W/O Mdi.
The Executive Council appreciated an outpour of sympathy and empathy from various organisations, individuals and, indeed, the people of the Free State and the rest of the country. Not least, it also immensely appreciated the visit of the Minister of Basic Education – Angie Motshekga – and a delegation of Provincial MECs for education (Limpopo, KZN and Northern Cape) which delegation, along with the Premier of the Free State and the EXCO, visited MEC Makgoe’s family.
To this end, EXCO agreed to write to the President; informed by the July 2016 State, Official and Provincial Official Funeral Policy Manual (“the Manual”), whose purpose is to ‘regulate the definition and management of structures, processes and systems related to death and dying, as well as describe the responsibilities and supporting roles of the Free State Provincial Government, for purposes of MEC Makgoe’s demise. EXCO also noted that a collaborative effort will be engaged to provide space for SAPS to also show their respects to W/O Mdi during the Provincial Memorial Service.
EXCO was informed that the family of MEC decided to enter the remains in Bloemfontein at a cemetery that will be announced to the public in due course. In line with preparations for the burial of MEC Makgoe, a provincial memorial service will be held in Bloemfontein on Thursday, 10th March 2023. Memorial services organised by the Provincial Department of Basic Education will be held in four other districts: Thabo Mofutsanyana, Lejweleputswa, Fezile Dabi and Xhariep. Members of the public are urged to attend all the memorial services to pay homage to the MEC and W/O Mdi.
EXCO, in giving further expression to its resolution, established the Funeral Planning and Political Funeral Management Committees and assigned various Members of the Executive Council (MECs) and officials to carry out assigned responsibilities and supporting roles to the bereaved families.
Following the conclusion of the EXCO meeting, Minister Motshekga and Premier Dukwana addressed a meeting of Senior Management of the Provincial Department of Basic Education at Sentraal High School on the legacy of MEC Makgoe and his exploits on the education landscape and shared their reminiscences about his interactions with them in government and governance.
