Scores of Zimbabweans gather at Siloam Hospital for mass physical identification of bus crash victims

Thupeyo Muleya in Siloam, South Africa

A sombre atmosphere has engulfed Siloam Hospital, where scores of Zimbabweans and Malawians whose relatives perished in a bus accident that killed 43 people near Makhado town last Sunday have gathered to physically identify their loved ones.

Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba is also expected to lead a delegation of South African officials who will offer compassionate support to the grieving families.

Limpopo Provincial Government spokesperson Mr Ndavhe Ramakuela said on Sunday that the purpose of the gathering is to support families during the physical identification process.

“This marks the next phase in the identification process, following the completion of post-mortem examinations conducted by the Forensic Pathology Services. The South African Police Service (SAPS) Victim Identification Centre has also commenced scientific identification procedures, including DNA analysis and fingerprint matching, in partnership with authorities from Zimbabwe and Malawi,” he said.

So far, the Malawian and Zimbabwean embassies have confirmed that eight Malawians and 33 Zimbabweans were among those who died when a DNC bus travelling from Port Elizabeth to Harare plunged into a cliff.