SA bus crash death toll rises as mass identification begins

Thupeyo Muleya in MAKHADO, South Africa

THE death toll from a bus accident that occurred in Makhado, South Africa, last week has increased from 43 to 44 after a Zimbabwean national who was in critical condition succumbed to injuries at Polokwane Hospital yesterday.

Limpopo Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, said a total of 36 Zimbabweans and eight Malawians perished in the accident.

She was speaking during the start of the mass physical identification of 42 bodies at Siloam Hospital, located some 40km outside Makhado town, yesterday.

Dr Ramathuba said the tragic incident had shaken the citizens of Malawi, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

The initial identification process was supported by the Zimbabwean and Malawian embassies and the next of kin of the deceased.

She added that the seven children who died in the accident would be identified through DNA tests.

“We are shaken by this incident, and as of this morning, we have lost a total of 44 people after another patient succumbed to injuries in Polokwane Hospital,” said Dr Ramathuba.

“Among the deceased are 36 Zimbabweans, among them six children, and eight Malawians, among them one minor. This is a tragedy that has befallen the three nations of Malawi, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, which occurred when a bus travelling from Port Elizabeth with Zimbabweans and Malawians plunged into a cliff along the N1. We mourn with our fellow nations, and we are doing everything in collaboration to ensure that we close this chapter and give our loved ones a dignified burial.”

She said the purpose of the meeting was to support families during the physical identification of their loved ones.

Dr Ramathuba added that the identification process was being done in three phases: photography, physical identification, and fingerprint verification.

In addition, she said the young children were being identified through DNA tests to ensure relatives receive the correct remains for burial.

“With regards to fingerprint verification, so far we have received 17 matches from the Zimbabwean police, and we are hoping this process will be completed in the shortest possible time. As the Limpopo provincial Government, we have put in place counsellors and psychologists to make sure we offer trauma counselling to the survivors and the next of kin of those who perished in this horrific accident.”

Zimbabwe’s Chargé d’Affaires to South Africa, Mr Shepherd Gwenzi, said they were coordinating with the governments of South Africa and Malawi to ensure the repatriation process is expedited.

He said they expect to have completed all the processes by Thursday this week and confirmed that a total of 12 Zimbabweans were still admitted in hospitals across Limpopo province.

Mr Gwenzi said the Government would fund the treatment costs for those in hospital, repatriation costs for the 36 Zimbabweans, transport for those discharged from hospital, and also cover accommodation and transport costs for the next of kin.

“We are grateful to the Government of South Africa for its support during this dark period for Zimbabweans and Malawians,” he said.

“Already we are processing repatriation documents for our nationals, and we hope that by Thursday this process will be complete.”