By Everson Luhanga
A bus carrying worshippers to Moria for the Easter weekend prayers crashed off a bridge and caught fire, killing all passengers except an eight-year-old girl.
The worshippers, said to be travelling from Gaberone in Botswana, were set to attend an Easter service in Moria, Limpopo.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has conveyed his condolences to the Republic of Botswana and to the family and friends of the 45 bus crash victims that died in Limpopo earlier today.
The bus which was transporting Easter pilgrims from Botswana to Moria was travelling on the R518 road near Mokopane, Limpopo when it crashed.
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.
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.
The incident happened after their bus lost control, fell over a bridge, and caught fire on the mountain pass between Mokopane and Marken in Limpopo on Thursday afternoon.
Unconfirmed reports said the bus, allegedly travelling from Botswana, plunged off the Mmamatlakala bridge and burst into flames.
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, who visited the scene of the incident, extended her “heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragic bus crash”.
She said the South African government would help repatriate the bodies and conduct a full inquiry into the cause of the crash.
“We continue to urge responsible driving at all times with heightened alertness as more people are on our roads this Easter weekend.”
Pictured above: The wreckage of the bus crash that claimed the lives of 45 people in Limpopo.
Source: Supplied
