WeeklySA_AdminTRAGEDY: SA authorities to help in repatriating the remains of the 45 accident victims back to Botswana…
By WSAM Reporter
President Cyril Ramaphosa has conveyed his condolences to the Republic of Botswana and to the family of the 45 bus crash victims that died in a bus crash in Limpopo yesterday, and in which the only survivor was an eight-year-old girl.
The bus which was transporting Easter pilgrims from Botswana to Moria was travelling on the R518 road near Mokopane, Limpopo, when it plunged some 50m off a bridge into a ravine.
An eight-year-old girl, the only survivor, sustained serious injuries but is now in a stable condition. The bus crashed through a barrier and caught fire when it hit the ground in the north-eastern Limpopo province.
The vehicle lost control and went off a bridge on the Mmamatlakala mountain pass between Mokopane and Marken, around 300km (190 miles) north of Johannesburg, according to South African public broadcaster SABC.
Department of Transport spokesperson Colin Msibi told the BBC’s Newsday programme that the girl who survived is currently “in hospital, I’m told in stable condition”.
“What we suspect is that when the bus hit the barrier of the bridge, the child was ejected out of the bus, and that is how the child was able to survive,” Msibi said.
Rescue operations went on late last night and continued the next morning. Unconfirmed reports said 34 bodies had been recovered so far, of which nine were identifiable.
Ramaphosa extended his sympathies in a call to President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana and pledged the continued support of the South African government during this time of need for the people of Botswana.
President Masisi expressed his gratitude for the cooperation that the government of Botswana has received from the SA government.
The Zionist Christian Church has its headquarters in Moria and its Easter pilgrimage attracts hundreds of thousands of people from the Southern African countries.
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has sent condolences to the bereaved families and Botswana government following the horrific bus crash that claimed 45 lives in Limpopo. The worshippers had departed from Botswana’s capital of Gaborone and were travelling to St Engenas ZCC for the Easter conference.
Chikunga said the government will repatriate the bodies. “We really want to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families but also to the government of Botswana and to the people of Botswana and as South Africa we will try everything to assist so that they go back to their country and families to be buried with dignity”.
The American Embassy in Botswana expressed its sincerest condolences and deepest sadness on the tragic loss of life involving 45 Batswana in the bus crash”.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Botswana during this extremely difficult time,” the statement from the embassy said. – Additional information from SABC News
