The Limpopo Provincial Government said 17 families arrived at Tshilidzini Hospital yesterday to identify their loved ones.

According to Polokwane Review, the identification process is expected to continue today for the remaining families after their relatives were killed when a cross-border bus, travelling from the Eastern Cape to Zimbabwe, veered off the Zoutpansberg mountain on Sunday evening.

Of the 91 passengers on board, 43 people lost their lives, 40 were hospitalised, and eight were self-discharged.

Complex identification process

Provincial government spokesperson Ndavhe Ramakuela confirmed that the Victim Identification Team has photographed all the deceased and begun collecting fingerprint sets to assist with identification.

The process is being supported by authorities from Zimbabwe and Malawi, who will help compare fingerprints as some victims were found without identification documents.

“It’s a meticulous process,” Ramakuela said. “We need to ensure that every set of remains is correctly identified before repatriation, so families can find closure.”

Post-mortem examinations are expected to be completed today.

Families begin finding closure

To date, 19 patients have been discharged from Siloam, Louis Trichardt Memorial, and Elim hospitals to reconnect with their families in Zimbabwe and Malawi.

Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba said the provincial government’s focus remains on supporting both survivors and grieving families.

“We are satisfied with the work done thus far by our teams. This is a difficult period, especially for the families, hence our focus is on assisting those injured to recover and ensuring positive identification of the deceased for families to find closure,” she said.

Investigations into cause under way

Ramakuela said ongoing investigations by the SAPS will focus on culpable homicide, while the Road Traffic Management Corporation continues compiling a technical report on the cause of the crash.

The Department of Transport has also begun discussions with Zimbabwean authorities to address cross-border transport compliance following reports that the bus had exceeded its passenger limit.

Ramathuba also expressed appreciation to members of the executive council for their ongoing efforts in co-ordinating the provincial response since the tragedy.

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