Pretoria – Grim recovery operations at the bus crash scene where 45 worshippers died continued until the late hours of Thursday.
Some of the bodies were burnt beyond recognition, others were trapped inside the burnt bus and others were scattered on the scene.
SA President Cyril Ramaphosa has conveyed his condolences to Botswana and the families and friends of the deceased.
The bus, which was transporting Easter pilgrims from Botswana to Moria, was travelling on the R518 road near Mokopane, Limpopo when it crashed on Thursday.
Moria is a place of spiritual significance, which hosts the largest Christian gathering in South Africa, during Easter and the September festival.
Only one person – a child – survived the horror crash in which the bus crashed through the barriers of the Mma Matlakala Bridge and plunged 50 metres below.
On impact with the ground, the bus caught alight.
The bus had 46 people on board, including the Driver.
The 8-year-old child who survived the horror crash was receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital.
“President Ramaphosa extended his sympathies in a call to President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana and pledged the continued support of the South African government during this time of need for the people of Botswana,” the Presidency said in a statement.
Vincent Magwenya, the spokesperson to President Ramaphosa, said: “President Masisi expressed his gratitude for the cooperation that the government of Botswana has received from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), as well as from the provincial and local government structures”.
Earlier Thursday, Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Florence Radzilani visited the crash scene.
The MEC attended the accident scene, along the R518, at the Mma Matlakala Bridge – between Marken and Mokopane, together with the Minister of Transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga, on Thursday, 28 March 2024.
The Minister and the MEC had been scheduled to conduct a Road Safety Operation at the Kranskop Toll Plaza when they were informed about the bus crash.
Grim recovery operations continued until the late hours of Thursday evening, as some bodies were burned beyond recognition, others trapped inside the debris and others scattered on the scene.
