Thousands of Basotho gathered at the Christ the King grounds in Roma, to pay their last respects to the late Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Mr. Vova Bulane, at the funeral service held on Friday.

Delivering condolences at the service, King Letsie III indicated that it is indeed painful to lose a loved one in a car accident, clarifying that while death is intolerable at all the time when it occurs, it is a bit soothing to lose someone to sickness. King emphasized that people of the late Minister Bulane's caliber are very rare during these times, reminding the Bulane family  to thank God to have been blessed with  Mr. Bulane.

 The two wives of Mr. Bulane mourn their loss  at the funeral.                       Mr. Bulane's coffin draped with the National Flag.   (Pics. M.Kheleli)

He said the family was further indeed blessed with his life, for he was a responsible, peace loving and humble person. King indicated that it is with the mentioned qualities, that the Bulane family, government and people of Lesotho should console themselves for their luck to have been blessed to have the late Mr. Bulane in their midst." He did not only do wonders for his family, but even as a Minister he was hard working, and he undertook his duties with pleasure and commitment," the King added. King concluded by appealing to the late Minister's children to pray hard, so they could follow into their father's footsteps, and grow to become responsible and future leaders of this country.

Speaking at the occasion, the Prime Minister Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili stressed on the need for  early education on road safety, especially introducing road safety  as part of the primary school curriculum, so as to eliminate the spiralling occurrence of accidents  in Lesotho's roads." The carnage in Lesotho's roads is really most uncalled for and unnecessary, and the time has come to embark on a rigorous road safety campaign." He muttered. The Prime Minister noted that if it will take the two deaths of the Minister and his body guard, Commando Private Bongani Cekwane to change people's perception and turn around to say enough is enough, then so be it.

The Military band leading  the hearse to the cemetery with hymns.   A Military escort to Mangopeng Cemetery. (Pics. M.Kheleli)

Talking about the late Minister, the Prime Minister indicated that he was very soft spoken and good at heart, citing a number of instances when he displayed his goodness, including those he did during his days at school. He said as a Minister, he was always punctual for meetings, saying he was forever humble and very conscious of his duties. He said as a person he was very respectful and not afraid to make decisions, commending him for publicly declaring his feelings by marrying two wives, instead of some people who live under false pretences.

Mr. Mosisili said Lesotho has lost an honourable, useful member of society, who was easy to talk to, be it in family, constituency or ministerial problems, adding that his colleagues could not hesitate to approach him for assistance help for he was always willing.
    

The  coffin resting on the shoulders of   Pall- Bearers past the Last Salute.  The grave in which the remains of Mr. Bulane rest. (Pics. M.Kheleli) 

The account of the accident was given by the Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Lesao Lehohla, who revealed that the cause of the fatal deaths was due to a car accident  that occurred last Saturday at Santeng near Mafeteng. He said while Minister Vova Bulane died on the spot, his bodyguard Bongani Cekwane died later at the Mafeteng hospital.  Two other passangers and the driver sustained injuries. However, the vehicle that collided with the Minister's car( a VW passat Stationwagon) was split into two pieces due to impact but the two occupants survived unscathed. The vehicle belonged to an Indian Businessman Mr. Pillay. The remains of the late Vova Benjamin Bota Bulane were laid to rest at the Mangopeng cemetery in Roma.
 
2nd May 2003