The bodies of 45 Botswana citizens who lost their lives in a tragic bus accident during the Easter weekend will be returned to Botswana on Tuesday.
45 Botswana nationals remains return home
The bodies of 45 Botswana citizens who perished in the tragic Easter bus accident were repatriated on Tuesday.
The victims, who were on their way to a religious gathering at St Engenas Zion Christian Church (ZCC) in Moria near Polokwane, died when their bus crashed off a bridge and caught fire.
Only an eight-year-old girl survived the incident.
According to JacarandaFM, Monageng addressed attendees at the repatriation ceremony held at Polokwane Airport, stating that the identification and repatriation procedures adhered to the most stringent international standards.
“I want to acknowledge the high standards that we witnessed. I want to acknowledge the way you held our hands.
“The way you handled this process to me has given the deceased Batswana the dignity they deserve.”
Mass burial planned for 45 accident victims; No body viewing
Mass Burial Scheduled for 45 Botswana Pilgrims After Tragic Bus Accident; Remains to be Laid to Rest in Early Morning Ceremony at Garanta Cemetery in Molepolole.
A service at the Molepolole Sports Complex Stadium will precede the funeral.
Still, there will be no public or family viewing of the remains due to the extensive mechanical damage suffered by the bodies.
Minister for State President Kabo Morwaeng explained during a public address in Molepolole that this decision was made to respect the deceased’s dignity.
“The body remains of our 45 victims of the tragic bus accident will be brought in sealed caskets and we want to assure you that they are clearly labelled. So, this said there will be no viewing of the bodies as that would be insensitive given the impact of the crash and the fire,” he pleaded with the bereaved families.
According to Mmegionline, the Minister emphasised that the repatriation protocols have been completed, as Botswana representatives have confirmed the arrival of the remains today (Tuesday).
The bodies are scheduled to depart from Polokwane, South Africa, at 10:00 and are expected to arrive at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport at 11:00.
Upon arrival, Morwaeng explained that the bodies would be transported to Molepolole funeral parlours to facilitate easy movement on the burial day and accommodate families.
“After transportation to Molepolole mortuaries on Friday, families will have the opportunity to take the bodies home, and later in the evening, they will be returned to the mortuaries. Then, on Saturday morning, they will be taken directly to the stadium for the ceremony,” he emphasised.
The final resting place for the victims of the tragic bus accident will be the Garanta Cemetery in Molepolole.
The bus driver from Thamaga will be buried in his home village after the stadium service.
For those unable to attend the funeral, the service will be broadcast on national television, radio stations, and other media platforms.
According to IOL, the eight-year-old girl from neighbouring Botswana, the sole survivor of the bus crash in Limpopo where 45 Botswana nationals died, was discharged from the hospital and returned to Bostwana.
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