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JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane must keep her promise to pay the medical bills of accident victim Thomas Ferreira, the Democratic Alliance has urged.
Spokeswoman Kate Lorimer said: "The Ferreiras have borne the trauma of seeing their loved one in a coma and suffering from brain damage. They now live with the secondary trauma caused by Mokonyane's insensitivity and a lack of results from the accident investigation."
PROMISES, PROMISES...
Ferreira, 18, was badly hurt when Gauteng housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi's official vehicle collided with his motorcycle six weeks ago. The driver, Semitsi Modomai, was chauffeuring Mmemezi and had turned on his "blue lights" to run a red traffic light through whcih Ferreira was already riding.
At that time Mokonyane publicly promised to cover the teenager's medical bills. Lorimer said the costs of the rehabilitation centre to which Ferreira was moved were around R120 000 amonth. She added: "Although some of his medical costs have been covered by medical aid there are many costs involved and there will be some in the future.
"It is unacceptable that such a tragic incident caused by Modomai's negligence should take so long to be investigated."
'NOTHING WE CAN DO...
Lorimer said the Ferreiras deserved empathy and respect from Mokonyane.
Mokonyane's spokesman Xoli Mngambi referred all queries to Mongezi Monyane of the housing department, who said the housing department would meet the Ferreira family only in January 2012 to discuss the matter:
"There is nothing we can do now - it is the festive holiday period."
You're quite right, Mngambi - but young Thomas Ferreira sure isn't enjoying it this year.
Spokeswoman Kate Lorimer said: "The Ferreiras have borne the trauma of seeing their loved one in a coma and suffering from brain damage. They now live with the secondary trauma caused by Mokonyane's insensitivity and a lack of results from the accident investigation."
PROMISES, PROMISES...
Ferreira, 18, was badly hurt when Gauteng housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi's official vehicle collided with his motorcycle six weeks ago. The driver, Semitsi Modomai, was chauffeuring Mmemezi and had turned on his "blue lights" to run a red traffic light through whcih Ferreira was already riding.
At that time Mokonyane publicly promised to cover the teenager's medical bills. Lorimer said the costs of the rehabilitation centre to which Ferreira was moved were around R120 000 amonth. She added: "Although some of his medical costs have been covered by medical aid there are many costs involved and there will be some in the future.
"It is unacceptable that such a tragic incident caused by Modomai's negligence should take so long to be investigated."
'NOTHING WE CAN DO...
Lorimer said the Ferreiras deserved empathy and respect from Mokonyane.
Mokonyane's spokesman Xoli Mngambi referred all queries to Mongezi Monyane of the housing department, who said the housing department would meet the Ferreira family only in January 2012 to discuss the matter:
"There is nothing we can do now - it is the festive holiday period."
You're quite right, Mngambi - but young Thomas Ferreira sure isn't enjoying it this year.
