01 Apr 2024

Reports from the church on the bus crash that killed 45 people who were travelling to Moria, South Africa for the Easter pilgrimage, indicate that 41 of the victims were from Molepolole and three from Ditshegwane, both in Kweneng District.

The secretary of St. Engenas church branch in Molepolole, Mr Phillip Sebifo revealed this information in an interview on Saturday, upon his return from Moria. He said that of the 45 victims, the bus driver was from Thamaga  and was not a member of the church.

He also stated that four of the victims were pastors from the church, three of whom died with their spouses, while the fourth one’s partner was travelling in another vehicle.

“One of the most heartbreaking aspects of this tragedy is that several families have lost multiple loved ones,” he said with a sombre tone, conveying the grief and shock that almost everyone has felt after such a tragic event.

To highlight the extent of loss suffered by these families, Mr Sebifo said the Tshekiso family lost four immediate family members: a brother, a sister, a niece, and a sister-in-law as well as two extended family members.

“Not only has the branch overseer suffered the loss of his child, but also that of his uncle’s child,” said Mr Sebifo as he narrated the extent of the loss.

“The remaining elders and congregants are still reeling from the shock of this loss,” he said.

“It is a tragedy that has left a hole in our hearts, and it will take time to heal,” he said with his voice heavy with grief although there was a note of resilience as he spoke of the future as he seemed to be searching for a way to find hope amid such great loss.

He went on to say that most of the victims were well-respected members of the church, and many of them were elderly women who had been part of the church for decades. He said they were knowledgeable about the traditions and practices of the church and their loss would be felt deeply by the community.

Mr Phillip was one of the few congregants who had driven to Moria in their vehicles, while other church members had travelled in minibuses. Ends