 Historic Day for Botswana People:45 human body remains retur
Kanego Lewele 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.
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.
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