Bus crash death toll rises to 44 in Makhado

The death count from a bus crash in Makhado, South Africa, reached 44 on Tuesday after a Zimbabwean passenger died at Polokwane Hospital from injuries sustained in the accident. Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba confirmed that 36 Zimbabweans and eight Malawians died when the bus traveling from Port Elizabeth plunged off a cliff along the N1 highway. Officials began mass identification of 42 bodies at Siloam Hospital, and authorities plan to use DNA testing to identify seven children killed in the crash.

Zimbabwe’s charge d’affaires to South Africa, Shepherd Gwenzi, said officials expect to complete repatriation procedures by Thursday. The Zimbabwean government will cover medical treatment for 12 nationals hospitalized across Limpopo province, repatriation expenses for the deceased, and transportation costs for survivors and relatives. South African officials provided counselors and psychologists to assist families, and fingerprint verification produced 17 matches from Zimbabwean police records to aid identification efforts.