Govt. spent over P3 million on Limpopo bus accident
Govt. will bear funeral costs for all the 45 dead
Botswana government will cover the funeral costs of the 45 people that perished in the Limpopo bus accident over the Easter holidays in South Africa, Minister of State President Kabo Morwaeng updated bereaved families over the weekend. Morwaeng said that President Mokgweetsi Masisi saw it fit that the government should aid the families during this sad time. e government will foot all the costs for embalmment of the bodies and transportation back into the country.
e affected families were assured that their loved ones will get dignified funerals and they should not stress about the financial implications as the government is doing everything in its power to help.
“P3 100 000 (three million one hundred thousand) has already been spent by the government to help with all the processes of repatriating the bodies,” Morwaeng said, adding that this heart-wrenching journey is about to end and the government will not neglect the people in any way.
Government has also spent money in buying caskets for the deceased and the hosting of nationwide memorial services.
Botswana Police Service Deputy Director Forensic Science Services, Senior Assistant Commissioner Anthony Wally revealed that there have been 42 DNA matches.
Wally said that the team in South Africa is working hard to identify the remains of the other three bodies. He said that there are regular meetings to get updates from the South African team.
In a press conference held in South Africa this past Monday Limpopo’s MEC for Health, Phophi Ramathuba, stated that following the tragic bus accident of Batswana who were travelling to the Saint Engenas Zion Christian Church in Moria, samples were collected from the victims.
However, three samples are still undergoing tests and Ramathuba assured that they will eventually be identified.
She stated that the process of death registration will start this week. She explained that South Africa will skip the signature part of families and will just require an oath from families to ease facilitation of completion of registration.
Afterwards the South African Department of Health in South Africa working with their undertaker, will receive all the necessary documents and issue export permits so that the remains can be repatriated to Botswana, Ramathuba noted.