The process follows the completion of post-mortem examinations in the Free State. Authorities say investigation into the incident is continuing while several injured passengers remain in hospital.

The victims were travelling from Cape Town to Zimbabwe when their bus overturned about 24km north of Trompsburg on Thursday (30/7). The vehicle was carrying 78 people, including the driver.  

Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae and health MEC Monyatso Mahlatsi will receive Zimbabwe’s consul-general in Johannesburg, Eria Phiri, at Free State House in Bloemfontein before relatives identify the deceased.

The leaders will accompany the victims’ next of kin during the identification process at the Free State Government Mortuary from 10:00. Repatriation will proceed after the necessary permits have been completed and the remains formally handed over, Free State department of health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi said.

The provincial government conveyed its condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured passengers a speedy recovery. Ten survivors remain under medical care at Universitas Academic Hospital and Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital in Bloemfontein.

Police opened a culpable homicide case while investigations into the cause of the crash continue. The bus driver was taken into police custody for questioning as investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.

The Trompsburg crash was followed by several bus-related incidents across the Free State. A bus overturned on the R701 at Voortrekker Street in Smithfield early on Saturday, leaving two people critically injured, two seriously injured, and 64 with minor injuries.

Three buses were also involved in a collision between Bethlehem and Reitz. Two people were critically injured, five sustained serious injuries, and 180 suffered minor injuries. No deaths were reported in either bus accident.

Four people died in another collision at the Reitz-Tweeling crossing after a bus and motor vehicle collided. Two pedestrians were killed on Sunday evening in a separate accident on the N1 south of Bloemfontein near the Ferreira turn-off.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi sm

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