Source: 11 SA crash victims to be identified today – herald
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
THE identification of 11 Zimbabweans who died in last week’s tragic bus accident in South Africa’s Free State Province will be conducted today, paving the way for the repatriation of their remains by the Government.
President Mnangagwa has since declared the tragedy a state of disaster, invoking emergency measures to facilitate the return of the deceased, support survivors and coordinate assistance with South African authorities.
The declaration, made in terms of the Civil Protection Act, unlocks Government resources to assist affected families and expedite the repatriation process.
The victims died when a Munhenzva Transport Services coach travelling from Cape Town to Harare veered off the road and overturned near Trompsburg in the Free State Province on July 31.
Zimbabwe’s Consul-General to South Africa, Mr Eria Phiri, said post-mortems had been completed and arrangements were now underway for a joint memorial service to be held by the Free State premier’s 0ffice and the Zimbabwean Embassy before the bodies are transported home.
“We expect to have the bodies in Zimbabwe by Saturday morning, and we are going to have a memorial service after the physical identification of our departed nationals in the Free State on Thursday,” he said.
“We have identified one male adult, five female adults, three female minors and two male minors among the deceased.
“The Government of Zimbabwe is facilitating the repatriations. We are grateful for the support from our host government.”
Thirteen people are still in hospital; five are at Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital and eight at Universitas Academic Hospital.
The names of the deceased will be released after the identification has been completed and their next of kin formally notified.
The deceased were travelling independently from Cape Town to Zimbabwe.
According to South African authorities, the bus was carrying 78 passengers when it overturned along the N1 Highway, about 24km north of Trompsburg, while travelling towards Edenburg.
At least 66 passengers survived the crash, although many sustained injuries of varying severity.
Free State Department of Health spokesperson Mr Mondli Mvambi said survivors with minor injuries were taken to Albert Nzula Hospital in Trompsburg for treatment.
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