Historic Day for Botswana people, as 45 human bodies remains return home

POLOKWANE: The 30 April 2024 signifies one of the most poignant days in the history of South Africa and Botswana nations.

This after Limpopo Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba together with Botswana High Commissioner Dr Sanji Monageng presided over an emotional repatriation process of 45 human body remains of Batswana nationals who died in a horrific accident, during a ceremony held at Polokwane International airport.

According to reports 45 congregants were burnt beyond recognition when their bus plunged off Mamatlakala bridge on the R518 road near Mokopane while traveling to Moria for Easter Weekend prayer, and only one minor survived the horrific accident.

The repatriation comes after weeks of a lengthy process wherein a dedicated multidisciplinary team have been hard at work in ensuring all the victims are correctly identified.

During the sent off ceremony, Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba commended a job well done by the multidisciplinary team which comprised, among others, the South African Police Services (SAPS) victim identification unit, Biology Section of the Forensic Science Laboratory Unit, Forensic Pathology Services, home affairs, and their Botswana counterparts.

The MEC says although the process has been a long, tiring and equally traumatising journey to the team, the South African government, is however, content that the families of the departed will finally find closure as they can now be able to bury their loved ones.

“It remains our responsibility as government to ensure meticulous process is adhered to before all the 45 human remains are repatriated to their respective families in Botswana,” says the MEC.

Above all, Dr Ramathuba also applauded all the public servants who worked tireless in ensuring the process is successfully finalised.
“It gives me pleasure indicate that without the dedication and selflessness of the public servants the repatriation could not have been successfully achieved and for that, I want to convey a message of gratitude to all the public servants who participated in the entirety of the process until this very last day,” added the MEC.

Meanwhile, Botswana High Commissioner Dr Sanji Monageng also praised the South Africa government for the commitment in ensuring all the 45 human body remains of the Batswana nationals are correctly identified and repatriated.

“On behalf of Botswana government, I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the high standards we have witnessed, and this has indeed given the deceased Batswana the dignity they deserve,” acknowledges the High Commissioner.

Other dignitaries who attended the sent off ceremony includes among others, Social Development MEC, MS Nandi Ndalane, Capricorn District Executive Mayor Mamudupi Teffo, representatives of the ST Engenas ZCC, South African Council of Churches and other leaders.