The remains of the 45 Botswana citizens who tragically lost their lives in a bus accident in Limpopo during Easter were repatriated back to their country today. The Batswana, who were members of the St Engenas ZCC church, were on their way to the Easter Pilgrimage in Podungwane, Limpopo, when the bus they were traveling in fell off a cliff and caught fire.

A LONG, TIRING AND TRAUMATISING JOURNEY 

A service leading the repatriation process of the remains was hosted in Polokwane today and attended by Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba, Botswana High Commissioner Dr Sanji Monageng and Social Development MEC Nandi Ndalana at Polokwane International Airport. Ramathuba said a dedicated multidisciplinary team, including the SAPS Victim Identification Unit, biology section of the Forensic Science Laboratory Unit, Forensic Pathology Services, and their Botswana counterparts, has been tirelessly working since the day of the accident to recover and positively identify the human remains through the DNA process after some of the people were burnt beyond recognition. 

"It has been a long, tiring, and equally traumatising journey for the team. However, we are comforted by the fact that the families will finally find closure,' said Ramathuba.

NO VIEWING OF CORPSES

Addressing the public and families at Molepolole in Botswana ahead of the arrival of their loved ones' remains, the Minister for State President, Kabo Morwaeng said that the funerals will proceed without the bodies being viewed as per custom. "This is because of the mechanical damage the corpses suffered. The body remains of our 45 victims of the tragic bus accident have been brought in sealed caskets and we want to assure you that they are clearly labelled. With this said, there will be no viewing of the bodies as that would be insensitive given the impact of the crash and the fire,' he pleaded with the bereaved families. He consoled the families of the deceased who were airlifted from Polokwane at 10 am and arrived at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport at 11 am. "After transportation to Molepolole mortuaries on Friday, families will be given the chance to take the corpses to their homes and later in the evening be returned to the mortuaries. Then on Saturday morning, they will be taken straight to the stadium where the ceremony will be held,' he explained.

ANOTHER TRAGEDY

Meanwhile, seven South Africans were killed in an accident in Ranaka Village, about 77 km from Gaborone on Sunday. According to a statement by Botswana Police, a Range Rover with four passengers and a minibus with 14 South African citizens collided. "The seven South African citizens, five females and two males aged between 37 and 72 were certified dead, while the rest of the passengers, four females, and three males were admitted to the hospital with different injuries," said Botswana police spokesperson Dipheko Motube. Motube said the South Africans were on their way from a church service in Botswana heading back home.