Source: Limpopo premier to meet relatives of bus crash victims – herald
Thupeyo Muleya in Makhado, South Africa
Limpopo Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba is set to lead a South African delegation that will meet and offer compassionate support to the relatives of the Malawians and Zimbabweans who perished in a bus accident that killed 43 people in Makhado on Sunday last week.
So far, the Zimbabwean and Malawian embassies have identified 33 and eight of their nationals, respectively, who died in the incident, which occurred when the DNC bus plunged into a cliff after the driver lost control near Ingwe Lodge along the N1 Highway.
The bus was travelling from Port Elizabeth with Zimbabweans and Malawians who were set to connect with another bus that would take them to their home country.
In a statement yesterday, Limpopo Provincial Government spokesperson Mr Ndavhe Ramakuela said the physical identification of all the 43 bodies will start today at Siloam hospital.
“The Limpopo Provincial Government, in collaboration with the Embassies of Zimbabwe and Malawi, will on Monday, 20 October 2025 meet with families and relatives of the victims of the tragic bus accident that occurred on the N1 near Louis Trichardt,” he said.
“The purpose of the meeting is to support families during the physical identification of their loved ones.
“This marks the next phase in the identification process, following the completion of post-mortem examinations conducted by the Forensic Pathology Services.”
Mr Ramakuela said 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 the Limpopo Provincial Government continues to offer psychosocial support services to affected families, including trauma counselling, through the Department of Social Development, while logistical arrangements are being coordinated through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre.
He added that the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) had said the bus involved in the accident was not roadworthy, was carrying more passengers than its permit allows, as well speeding whilst descending the mountainous area.
“We welcome the commitment by Minister of Transport, Ms Barbra Creecy, to take firm action against the bus company as well as ensuring that law enforcement agencies are alert on the road and act swiftly against those who break the law,” said Mr Ramakuela.
“We appreciate the progress made thus far and extend our sincere gratitude to the team that has been working tirelessly to make sure we fast-track the repatriation process,” said Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba.
A senior official at the Zimbabwe Consulate in Johannesburg, Mr Chengetai Murahwa, said the identification process was being carried out in three phases, including photography, physical, fingerprint verification and DNA tests with respect to all seven minors.
He said they will start processing repatriation documents once the identification process has been concluded.
Mr Murahwa said a total of 14 Zimbabweans were still hospitalised in various hospitals across Limpopo province and that well-wishers had also donated food hampers to those admitted to Elim Hospital in Limpopo province.
Malawi High Commission’s First Secretary, Ms Justina Botomani, said they had identified eight of their nationals among the deceased, which include six men, one woman and one minor.
“With the support from our host and other stakeholders and relatives, we have identified eight of our nationals among the deceased, and so far we have organised transport for the eight others who have been discharged from various hospitals,” she said.
“At the moment, we have a total of seven people who have been hospitalised and we await the commencement of the physical identification process, which will be on Monday.
“As the Malawi High Commission, we have also issued travel documents to our nationals, most of whom lost these during this tragic accident. In addition, we have given them some money for their upkeep on the journey to Malawi.”
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