01 Apr 2024

A sombre scene unfolded at Kweneng District Council today as families of victims of a fatal bus crash near Mokopane in Limpopo, South Africa, arrived to identify the deceased from a list shared by the police.

The bus crash, which took place on March 28, left a trail of grief and sorrow in its wake. As relatives gathered at the council chambers to receive news of their loved ones, the atmosphere was one of solemnity and sadness.

Botswana Police Divisional Commander South, Senior Assistant Commissioner Harrison Digobe, made a solemn announcement this morning to the families of the victims of the fatal accident.

“We are currently in the process of identifying the deceased who are still in South Africa,” he said. To do so, he said after families confirmed names of the victims who boarded the bus that was involved in the accident, they would then be invited to provide DNA samples

He stressed that DNA identification process would require blood samples from close family members, as well as personal items such as toothbrushes and pieces of clothing. Once the deceased were identified, the bodies would be repatriated to Botswana, he explained.

However, he noted that the only survivor of the crash, an eight-year-old girl, had already been identified and her mother had been notified. The process of bringing the girl home he said was already underway. The Commander also added that the girl was receiving medical attention at a hospital near Mokopane.

Senior Assistant Commissioner Digobe further confirmed that the group involved in the crash were pilgrims from the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) in Molepolole.

He explained that other pilgrims had travelled to South Africa by mini buses, adding that the bus involved in the crash carried 46 people, 45 of whom had died in the accident.

The bus was carrying people from Molepolole Botswana to Moria.  It is reported that the bus drove over a barrier in a highway, crashed and caught fire. Ends