Final Journey Begins Monday: Families to Identify SA Bus Crash Victims

The physical identification of victims from last Sunday’s fatal bus crash in Makhado, South Africa, is scheduled to begin on Monday following the completion of post-mortems by forensic experts.

The crash claimed 43 lives, including Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals.

Among the deceased are 36 adults and seven minors.

As of Friday evening, officials had successfully identified 40 of the victims, with only three bodies still awaiting confirmation by their next of kin.

Zimbabwean authorities are continuing to verify the number of citizens currently admitted to hospitals.

Post-mortems are being conducted at Tshilidzini Hospital, after which all bodies will be moved to Siloam Hospital Mortuary for repatriation.

To support grieving families, the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) is covering transport, accommodation, and general upkeep for relatives assisting with the identification process.

DNC Bus Company is also providing transport within South Africa for families traveling to Makhado and for discharged patients returning to Zimbabwe.

The identification exercise is being coordinated by Zimbabwean and Malawian officials in collaboration with South African authorities and bereaved families.

Chengetai Murahwa, a senior official at the Zimbabwe Consulate in Johannesburg, confirmed that 32 Zimbabweans and eight Malawians had been identified among the deceased.

“A total of 34 post-mortems have been carried out as of midday on Friday and we expect the remainder to be completed by the weekend.

“So, we expect the relatives to start the physical identification at the mortuary on Monday. The Government has made arrangements to transport and accommodate all the relatives who will be coming to help with that process,” he said.

In addition to identification efforts, the Government is covering medical bills for those hospitalized.

Well-wishers have donated food hampers to patients at Elim Hospital in Limpopo province.

Consulate staff are still consolidating the final number of those discharged and those still admitted out of the 40 who were taken to various medical facilities.

Murahwa explained that the initial identification process involved photography and fingerprint verification.

“In addition, through the Civil Protection Unit, the Government has created two command centres in Makhado and Beitbridge to coordinate logistics and we are happy with the support we are getting from various stakeholders so far,” he said.

DNC Coaches Operating Supervisor Mr Oliver Govha said the company is offering complementary support to the Government and compassionate assistance to grieving families.

“In addition to what our Government is doing, guided by them, we are helping with the necessary consumables for those hospitalised and those family members travelling from within South Africa to Limpopo province to complete the identification and repatriation processes,” said Govha.

He added that DNC will visit all affected families before and after burial to offer further support.

The company is also assisting Malawian nationals with direct transport home for those discharged from hospital.

South Africa’s Transport Ministry spokesperson Mr Collen Msibi confirmed that a preliminary report had been received from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), which will guide further action.

The Herald reported that the crash has prompted cross-border coordination efforts to ensure dignified repatriation and support for victims’ families.