adminThupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
THREE Zimbabweans including an eight months old baby who were killed in a road accident in South Africa have been repatriated for burial after the police successfully conducted DNA profiling. The three are part of the 15 people including a Malawian who were killed when a Mazda Drifter they were travelling in collided head-on with a haulage truck on January 20.
The accident occurred along the R101 highway near Mokopane town in Limpopo Province.
Zimbabwe’s Consul General in the neighbouring country, Batiraishe Mukonoweshuro, said last week that DNA profiling for the other victims was still in progress.
“The DNA profiling took longer than usual because there are many limbs which need to be profiled.
“We’re working with authorities here to ensure that we put together the correct limbs. This is a very unfortunate incident and we sympathise with the victims’ relatives,” he said.
Mukonoweshuro said the three bodies included that of a mother and her child from Chiredzi.
He said the country was grateful for the assistance from the host government in ensuring that the DNA profiling is concluded early.
He said the remains of the other 12 victims were being kept at Polokwane government mortuary.
The Consul General added that those with relatives who die in South African road accidents should always contact the consulate or Road Accident Fund for assistance.
The accident occurred between Mokopane and Niaboomspriut along a road which is mostly used by smugglers who facilitate illegal migration between the two countries.
The R101 highway has few check points manned by immigration or police officers.
A total of 38 Zimbabweans have died in road accidents in Limpopo Province in the last 12 months.
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo