THE families in Botswana can now arrange burials for their loved ones and find closure.
This follows the repatriation of 45 human remains from the Mamatlakala Bridge bus crash to their respective families in Botswana on Tuesday, 30 April.
A final send-off prayer session was held at the Polokwane International Airport, attended by Limpopo Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba, Botswana High Commissioner Sanji Monageng, and other dignitaries.
The tragic bus accident happened on Thursday, 28 March 2024 at the Mamatlakala Bridge along the R518 road outside Mokopane.
The victims were on their way to the annual Easter Pilgrimage at the St Engenas Zion Christian Church in Moria.
A multidisciplinary team, including the police victim identification unit and forensic experts from both South Africa and Botswana, worked tirelessly to recover and identify the human remains through DNA.
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MEC Ramathuba expressed that it has been a long and traumatic journey, but finding closure for the families brings comfort. She assured that the identification process was meticulous, ensuring no mistakes in returning the remains to the Batswana families.
Ramathuba also thanked everyone involved in the process.
Monageng expressed gratitude to the South African government for their support since the accident.
She acknowledged the expectations of the Botswana people to return their loved ones and is relieved to have fulfilled this duty.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be made.
