Revealed: 30 Zimbabweans and Six Malawians Among 43 Killed in Limpopo Bus Crash
The identification of victims from the deadly bus accident in Limpopo has confirmed that 30 Zimbabweans and six Malawians were among the 43 people who lost their lives.
Officials from Zimbabwe and Malawi are working closely with South African authorities and families to complete the painstaking process, which involves fingerprint verification, photographs, and on-site family participation.
Families Travel to South Africa for Identification
According to B-Metro, the ongoing identification process is being jointly overseen by officials from Zimbabwe and Malawi, working closely with South African authorities and families of the victims.
Civil Protection Unit (CPU) Deputy Director for Response and Coordination, Veronica Bare, confirmed that a delegation is en route to South Africa with relatives of the deceased to assist in the identification process.
“We are on our way to South Africa with relatives of the deceased who will help us in the identification process. We will also pick up more family members in Masvingo and Beitbridge,” said Bare.
Bodies to Be Repatriated After Post-Mortems
Bare explained that Doves Funeral Services has been contracted to repatriate the remains of the victims once the post-mortem examinations and all necessary paperwork have been finalised.
“For now, the process of identification is ongoing. Doves Funeral Services is on standby to collect the bodies once post-mortems are completed. The bodies will be transported to their final destinations,” she said.
She further noted that several relatives had already travelled to Makhado, where fingerprint verification systems and photographs are being used by South African officials to identify the victims.
Government Assisting Bereaved Families
The Ministry of Local Government spokesperson, Gabriel Masvora, stated that the Zimbabwean Government will continue providing State assistance to affected families until all victims have been laid to rest.
“So far, about 15 people have come through our Disaster Management Centre and left for South Africa. We mobilised a bus to ferry them, while some relatives already in South Africa are assisting in the identification process,” said Masvora.
He also said efforts were underway to help those without travel documents.
“For those without travel documents, we are liaising with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and South African authorities to ensure they can cross the border and identify their loved ones.”