FORTY-four of the 45 victims of the bus crash on the Mamatlakala bridge have finally been laid to rest.
The mass burial took place on Saturday, 4 May at the Molepolole Sports Complex in Gaborone, Botswana.
Scores of local residents, friends and family gathered to bid farewell to their loved ones who lost their lives more than a month ago.
The victims were killed in a horrific bus crash that occurred on the Mamatlakala Bridge on the R518 outside Mokopane in Limpopo on Thursday, 28 March 2024.
They died on their way to the annual Easter pilgrimage to the St Engenas ZCC headquarters in Moria outside Polokwane when the bus driver lost control and plunged down the bridge.
The families initially took their loved ones to their homes on Friday, 3 May, where they held memorial services to find closure.
They then took the bodies back to the mortuary to prepare them for the mass burial. Botswana’s Minister of State for the Presidency, Kabo Morwaeng, said this was the first time that 45 people had died at once.
“This is unusual for us. We have managed to prepare everything for the mass burial and our government is bearing all the costs for the funeral of all 45 victims. We believe we will find solace and closure,” he said.
Limpopo Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, was among the mourners representing the South African government.
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Ramathuba offered condolences to the President of Botswana and his people, including the families of the victims.
“As South Africans, this dark cloud has hit us too. We stand here with shaken hearts and bid farewell to the remains of 44 of the 45 members of the great nation who tragically lost their lives on that fateful day,” she said.
She said they honour the memories of the beautiful souls resting in their state as they escort them to their final resting place.
“This has undoubtedly caused untold pain and sorrow that will remain deeply embedded in our hearts. May their souls rest in peace,” Ramathuba said.
