LIMPOPO – After more than two months of uncertainty, the families of 11 victims who died in a head-on crash on the R40 road near Klaserie have finally received confirmation of their loved ones’ identities.

The tragic incident occurred on Saturday, February 8, when a minibus taxi and a bakkie collided, resulting in the deaths of 13 people, many of whom were burnt beyond recognition.

Dr Sello Rasello, CEO of Maphuta Malatji Hospital in Namakgale, Phalaborwa, confirmed on Monday that the forensic unit has completed DNA testing on the remains positively identified 11 of the 13 victims. The tests were conducted by the Victim Identification Centre in Pretoria, with assistance from close family members who provided DNA samples.

Rasello stated that the families of the identified victims are expected to collect the bodies from the hospital’s forensic unit on Tuesday.

“Hoedspruit does not have a public forensic unit, so the victims were brought to Maphuta Malatji Hospital, which is the nearest facility with appropriate resources,” he explained.

Two of the deceased remain unidentified, but authorities are hopeful that further testing and investigation will soon resolve the matter.

The crash claimed the lives of ten passengers from the taxi and three occupants of the bakkie.

The collision caused both vehicles to ignite, trapping several passengers inside.

Among the dead were eight employees of a well-known supermarket, La Bamba, who were traveling in staff transport at the time of the accident.

In a show of respect and mourning, the company closed its stores for 48 hours following the tragedy.

At the time of publication, the families had yet to retrieve the remains of their loved ones.