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Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau

THE remains of 13 Zimbabweans killed in a road accident in Worcester, Western Cape, South Africa, on March 9 have been repatriated via the Beitbridge Border Post for burial. 

The Simlex Logistics bus was travelling from Harare to Cape Town when the crash occurred.

After engagements with the Zimbabwe Passengers Transport Organisation (ZPTO), Simlex Logistics contributed US$15 000 towards the repatriation fees. The funds were used to help with the transportation of the affected families and the bodies. 

Zimbabwe’s Consul General in Johannesburg, Ms Esther Mudambo, said all 13 bodies had left Worcester on Sunday evening. 

She said after verification, it was established that a total of 13 people perished in the crash, and not 15 as had been reported last week.

“All the 13 bodies left Worcester on Sunday evening and it was finally established that only 13 were victims of the disaster,” said Ms Mudambo.

The cortèges arrived at the country’s busiest border at around 1am yesterday, in a convoy of three hearses from the Good Hope Funeral Parlour based in Johannesburg.

They were promptly cleared for passage as the Government had already made contingency plans for a smooth passage. 

The bodies repatriated were of Tatenda Batsatsa from Chitungwiza, Sakina Phiri of Sanyathi, Albertina Makaza of Mhondoro, Nyaradzo Maringa of Gokwe South, Plot Muchemwa of Bikita, Lisa Mutero of Masvingo, Emanuel Matsidikwa and Stewart Simarungu from Gokwe North, Keila Munyangamira and Abigail Munyangamira of Mutoko, Kiara Hadzivakwi of Gokwe South, Jealous Mariko of Mazowe and Roy Nherera of Marondera.

ZPTO chairman, Dr Samson Nhanhanga, said they had a team on the ground working with Zimbabwe embassy staff and South African officials.

“Our team worked hand-in-glove with Zimbabwe embassy staff as well as South African officials, to ensure the bodies are repatriated. Some passengers who were in hospital were discharged on Monday after receiving medical attention, with a few still getting full care. The association will also continue to update Zimbabweans on any development,” said Dr Nhanhanga.

Tragedy struck when the Simlex bus collided with a commercial truck that was going in the opposite direction about 140km before Cape Town at the Hex River Pass.

The driver reportedly jumped out of the bus, but he too lost his life.  — @tupeyo