Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya in Makhado, South Africa
THE death toll of people, among them Malawians and Zimbabweans, who died following a bus accident that occurred in Makhado, South Africa last week, has increased from 43 to 44 after another Zimbabwean who was in critical condition, succumbed to the injuries at Polokwane Hospital yesterday.
Limpopo Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, said so far, a total of 36 Zimbabweans and eight Malawians perished in the accident.
She was speaking during the beginning of the mass physical identification of 42 bodies at Siloam Hospital, some 40km outside Makhado town.
Dr Ramathuba said the tragic incident had shaken citizens of Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The initial identification process was supported by the Zimbabwean and Malawians embassies and the next of kin of the deceased. She said the seven children who died in the accident will be identified through DNA test.
“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. This is a tragedy for the three nations of Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe, which occurred when a bus was travelling from Port Elizabeth with Zimbabweans and Malawians and plunged into a cliff along the N1.
“We mourn with our fellow nations and we’re 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 also said the identification process was being done in three phases using photography, physical identification and fingerprint verification.
She said young children were being identified through DNA tests to ensure relatives get the correct remains for burial.
“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,” said Dr Ramathuba.
“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 Charge de Affares to South Africa Mr Shepherd Gwenzi said they were co-ordinating 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 that a total of 12 Zimbabweans were still admitted in hospitals across Limpopo province.
Mr Gwenzi said the Government will fund the treatment costs for those in hospital, repatriation costs for the 36 Zimbabweans, transport for those discharged from hospital and also take care of accommodation and transport costs for the next of kin.
“We are grateful to the government of South Africa for their 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.”
Malawi High Commissioner to South Africa Mrs Stella Hauya Ndau said the tragedy calls for close collaboration among the three nations and that they are paying hospital bills, repatriation costs and the general upkeep costs for their nationals.
“It’s through collaboration and team work among our three Governments that we have handled most processes without any challenges,” she said.
