Mnangagwa mourns Limpopo bus crash victims

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has conveyed his deepest condolences to the families of Zimbabweans and other nationals who perished in Sunday's horrific bus crash in South Africa's Limpopo province, which claimed 49 lives. The President has directed that the Zimbabwean government assume full responsibility for the repatriation, burial, and medical expenses of local victims.

In a statement issued from the Office of the President and Cabinet on Monday, Mnangagwa said he was "deeply shocked and grieved" by the tragedy, which occurred when a cross-border bus travelling from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) to Harare and onward to Malawi veered off the N1 highway near Makhado and plunged down an embankment.

"On behalf of the government of Zimbabwe, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to families of the bereaved commuters here in Zimbabwe and other SADC countries so affected," the President said.

Mnangagwa confirmed that relevant government departments and agencies had been instructed to coordinate the repatriation of the deceased and to ensure that the families receive state support during the funeral process. He further assured that the government would cover all hospital bills for those injured in the crash.

"In respect of the injured, the government will meet all hospital bills," he emphasized.

The President also used the occasion to call for greater regional collaboration in addressing transport safety, urging Southern African countries to harmonise road traffic laws and strengthen cross-border enforcement mechanisms.

"It has become incumbent for traffic enforcement agencies across jurisdictions to collaborate more closely, and for our respective governments to harmonise our legislations in respect of vehicular traffic," Mnangagwa noted.

He commended the South African authorities for their swift response in managing the aftermath of the disaster and for assisting survivors and rescue operations.

The accident, one of the deadliest cross-border road tragedies in recent years, has reignited concerns over the safety standards and regulatory oversight of long-distance passenger transport services linking South Africa with its northern neighbours.

Authorities in Limpopo have confirmed that the victims included 18 women, 17 men, and seven children, with several passengers sustaining critical injuries. Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.