Limpopo Health MEC Visits Hospitalized South Africans After Tragic Botswana Crash
Image Source: A forensic pathologist combs the burnt remains of the bus that was taking Easter pilgrims from Botswana to Moria, following its crash near Mamatlakala in Limpopo. File Picture: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
Following a tragic road accident in Botswana that claimed the lives of seven South Africans, Limpopo’s Health Minister, Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, visited hospitalized survivors.
The accident occurred last week as a group of 15 South Africans travelled by minibus to a church service in Botswana. Their vehicle collided with a Range Rover SUV on the return trip, resulting in the deaths of seven passengers.
Dr. Ramathuba, who was already in Botswana representing South Africa at a mass funeral for 45 Batswana victims of another recent bus crash, took the opportunity to check on the injured South Africans. She emphasized ensuring their well-being and assisting families in finding closure.
Details of the Accident
The South Africans were reportedly members of the St. John Apostolic Church. The Botswana Police Service (BPS) reported that the incident occurred approximately 77 kilometers from Gaborone, the capital city.
Dr. Ramathuba, who was in Botswana to represent South Africa at the mass funeral of 45 Batswana who perished in a bus crash in Limpopo over the Easter Weekend, took the opportunity to extend support to her fellow countrymen. Speaking with broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, Dr. Ramathuba shared details of the accident, revealing that the group was returning from a church conference when tragedy struck.
“Our High Commissioner informed us that there were South Africans attending a church conference in Botswana. Unfortunately, on their journey back, they were involved in an accident between an SUV and the minibus they were traveling in,” she stated, expressing the sorrow of losing seven lives and the earnest efforts to aid the survivors.
Collaboration for Repatriation
South African authorities are working with Botswana’s High Commission and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) to facilitate the identification and repatriation of the deceased. This includes fingerprint analysis by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to confirm identities and allow families to properly claim their loved ones’ remains.
A Reminder of Another Tragedy
This accident comes on the heels of another deadly bus crash that occurred last month in Limpopo, South Africa. In that incident, a bus carrying Batswana pilgrims to a church service tragically plunged off a bridge, killing 45 passengers. Only one young passenger, Lorraine Atlang Siako, survived the horrific crash.
These two recent tragedies highlight the dangers of road travel in the region and the importance of safety measures.
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