Man dies during Kgotla meeting after speaking his mind
The family of Reuben Rasesigo (64) is failing to accept that one of their own just collapsed and died after making submissions at a kgotla meeting a week ago in Seleka village.
Seleka village Chief explained that Reuben died during a meeting which he (Kgosi) convened to celebrate government’s decision to disband the four villages of Tupya, Malete, Seleka and Rasesa, saying for the longest time, they had wanted to be known as independent not merged villages.
“Reuben was one of our trusted soldiers; he died after airing his displeasure with the Malete leaders, saying their behaviour was unpleasant. He said they should stop harassing us. Immediately after airing his view, he sat down on his chair only to fall to the ground seconds later.
“His breathing pattern changed and he was rushed to the hospital. He was sadly confirmed dead upon arrival,” Kgosi Modiakgotla said, adding that the entire village is still reeling in shock over the incident.
According to the deceased’s brother Magobadi Rasesigo, Reuben attended the Kgotla meeting as he was an active member of his community only to return home in a coffin.
“I had spoken to him the previous day and he was just fine. On the day he died, I had gone to the cattle post when I received a disturbing call that suggested that my brother had been rushed to the hospital as he had collapsed during a kgotla meeting,” he said.
Although the caller tried their best to hold it together in an effort not to traumatise Rasesigo, he could feel that the situation back home was serious and tense. He immediately rushed home and upon arrival, he noticed that people had already gathered at their home.
It then hit him that his brother was no more.
“It is hard to understand what really happened, how does someone speak, finish what they were saying only to collapse to the ground seconds later,” he wondered.
Reuben’s other brother Shadrack Rasesigo said on the fateful day, he had spoken to his brother a few minutes before he attended the kgotla meeting. When news reached him that Reuben was dead, he could not believe his ears, to this day, it still feels like a dream.
Teofo Moduane said his heart is heavy and sore. “I am a man but I cried so much at the news, his death was so sudden and unexpected. It still feels so surreal, the last time I saw him was at a wedding in May this year.”
Lapologang Mogwadi who was one of those sitting in the crowd when Reuben collapsed said the village is traumatised by what happened. They had watched in horror as Reuben breathed his last in front of villagers gathered at the Kgotla.
“From where I was standing, it was not hard to tell that he was dying, by the time he was taken to the hospital, his soul had already departed his body. What makes all of it confusing is that there were no known ailments that he might have been suffering from. When he made his submissions, his voice was just calm,” Mogwadi explained.
Seleka village Chief explained that Reuben died during a meeting which he (Kgosi) convened to celebrate government’s decision to disband the four villages of Tupya, Malete, Seleka and Rasesa, saying for the longest time, they had wanted to be known as independent not merged villages.
“Reuben was one of our trusted soldiers; he died after airing his displeasure with the Malete leaders, saying their behaviour was unpleasant. He said they should stop harassing us. Immediately after airing his view, he sat down on his chair only to fall to the ground seconds later.
“His breathing pattern changed and he was rushed to the hospital. He was sadly confirmed dead upon arrival,” Kgosi Modiakgotla said, adding that the entire village is still reeling in shock over the incident.
According to the deceased’s brother Magobadi Rasesigo, Reuben attended the Kgotla meeting as he was an active member of his community only to return home in a coffin.
“I had spoken to him the previous day and he was just fine. On the day he died, I had gone to the cattle post when I received a disturbing call that suggested that my brother had been rushed to the hospital as he had collapsed during a kgotla meeting,” he said.
Although the caller tried their best to hold it together in an effort not to traumatise Rasesigo, he could feel that the situation back home was serious and tense. He immediately rushed home and upon arrival, he noticed that people had already gathered at their home.
It then hit him that his brother was no more.
“It is hard to understand what really happened, how does someone speak, finish what they were saying only to collapse to the ground seconds later,” he wondered.
Reuben’s other brother Shadrack Rasesigo said on the fateful day, he had spoken to his brother a few minutes before he attended the kgotla meeting. When news reached him that Reuben was dead, he could not believe his ears, to this day, it still feels like a dream.
Teofo Moduane said his heart is heavy and sore. “I am a man but I cried so much at the news, his death was so sudden and unexpected. It still feels so surreal, the last time I saw him was at a wedding in May this year.”
Lapologang Mogwadi who was one of those sitting in the crowd when Reuben collapsed said the village is traumatised by what happened. They had watched in horror as Reuben breathed his last in front of villagers gathered at the Kgotla.
“From where I was standing, it was not hard to tell that he was dying, by the time he was taken to the hospital, his soul had already departed his body. What makes all of it confusing is that there were no known ailments that he might have been suffering from. When he made his submissions, his voice was just calm,” Mogwadi explained.
