The death toll from last week’s DNC Coaches bus crash in Makhado, South Africa, has risen to 44 after a Zimbabwean who had been in critical condition died at Polokwane Hospital on Monday.
Speaking at the start of the mass identification of 42 bodies at Siloam Hospital, about 40km outside Makhado, Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba said 36 Zimbabweans and eight Malawians were killed in the accident.
She said the tragedy had deeply affected people in Malawi, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
The identification process has been supported by the Zimbabwean and Malawian embassies, along with relatives of the victims.
Dr Ramathuba added that the seven children who died would be identified through DNA tests to ensure their remains are returned to the correct families for burial. Said Ramathuba:
“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.
“Among the deceased are 36 Zimbabweans, among them six children, and eight Malawians, among them one minor.
“This is a tragedy that has befallen the three nations of Malawi, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, which occurred when a bus travelling from Port Elizabeth with Zimbabweans and Malawians plunged into a cliff along the N1.
“We mourn with our fellow nations, and we are doing everything in collaboration to ensure that we close this chapter and give our loved ones a dignified burial.
“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 Chargé d’Affaires to South Africa, Shepherd Gwenzi, said they are working with the governments of South Africa and Malawi to speed up the repatriation process.
He said they expect all arrangements to be completed by Thursday this week and confirmed that 12 Zimbabweans are still in hospitals across Limpopo province.
Gwenzi added that the government will cover the medical costs for those in hospital, pay for the repatriation of the 36 Zimbabweans who died, provide transport for those discharged, and also cover accommodation and travel expenses for the next of kin.
More: The Herald
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