Mmamatlaka bridge bus crash: Only nine of 45 victims identified
The remainder of the victims will be identified through DNA after the bus they were travelling in plummeted 50m off the Mmamatlaka bridge on March 28.
MOKOPANE – Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi fully committed his government’s support, and conveyed his deepest condolences to those affected by the bus crash in which 45 Botswana nationals died, last Thursday on their way from Gaborone to the Easter conference at St Engenas Zion Christian Church in Moria.
The bus plummeted 50m off the bridge before it caught fire and rescue operations continued until late Thursday evening, as most passengers burned beyond recognition.
The deadly incident happened on the R518 near Mmamatlaka between Mokopane and Marken, and according to Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) spokesperson Simon Zwane, an investigation into the cause of the crash is still at a preliminary stage.
“Part of the investigation involves a mechanical investigation on the bus itself. We also have to check if there are any clues that can be obtained from the remains before we can form an idea of what might have led to the incident.”
An eight-year-old girl was the sole survivor after she reportedly managed to get out of the bus before it veered off the bridge. She was airlifted to Mokopane Hospital to receive medical attention.
Read more: Child (8) sole survivor of bus crash that claims 45 lives en route to Moria
Transport MEC Florence Radzilani and Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga were scheduled to conduct a road safety operation at the Kranskop Toll Plaza, when they heard the news and went to the accident scene.
Botswana Minister of Defence and Security, Kagiso Mmusi added that the South African government, the police and the church will continue to engage on how they are going to repatriate the victims’ remains in order to allow their families to conduct funerals.
Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla and Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba with senior officials visited the scene on Tuesday.
They also engaged with the girl who survived, she was discharged on Wednesday. The girl then departed from the Polokwane International Airport with her mother to return home.
According to the MEC, post mortems are being conducted and the department is awaiting family members of the deceased to arrive for assistance in some cases.
“The process of identifying the victims’ remains involves DNA tests. Our Botswana counterparts are in constant communication with our team.”
She confirmed that out of the 45 victims, only nine could be identified. The remainder will be identified through DNA.
The process of sampling DNA from the relatives of the deceased is already underway in Botswana.
