Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya-Beitbridge Bureau
DNA tests to confirm the identity of six Zimbabwean minors who died in a bus accident in South Africa have been completed, with the authority now set to repatriate the bodies for burial by road on Wednesday.
Already, the remains of 30 Zimbabweans arrived in the country by road for burial a fortnight ago.
Eight others who were injured remain in various hospitals in Limpopo province, South Africa.
The country’s Consul-General to South Africa, Mr Eria Phiri, confirmed the development yesterday.
“All families of the six deceased children have been advised on the conclusion of the DNA test processes,” said the Consul-General.
“We are meeting in Makhado today and then the consulate will commence with the paperwork on Monday, and we expect the repatriation process to be carried out by road on Wednesday.
“I will also be visiting eight Zimbabweans who are still admitted at various hospitals in Limpopo province.”
The identification process of the accident victims in terms of adults was done through photography, physical identification, and fingerprint verifications.
The young children were identified through DNA tests to ensure that families don’t bury the wrong bodies.
In the aftermath of the bus accident, 36 Zimbabweans and eight Malawians were killed when a bus travelling from Port Elizabeth plunged into a cliff after the DNC bus driver lost control along the N1 highway outside Makhado town, 100km from Beitbridge border post. The Government is footing the repatriation and related costs for all the accident victims, including paying medical bills for those hospitalised.
