Phaahla: Forensic probe into Limpopo bus crash ‘will take time’
Health Minister Joe Phaahla says the forensic DNA tests on the remains of the Limpopo bus crash victims will be a painstaking process.
Forty-five people died after the bus they were travelling in from Botswana to Moria plunged off a bridge and caught fire.
The South African and Botswana governments have roped in pathology experts and technology to help identify the victims and conduct post-mortems.
ALSO READ: SA, Botswana to team up for forensic probe into deadly bus crash
They are also working on the repatriation of the remains.
"The X-ray tests have already been done, but that was the first part; the difficult part, of course, is now taking tissue samples, making sure that those tissues can then be subjected to the DNA testing but also matching the DNA findings with those of possible relatives, from over 33 families,” Phaahla said during a visit to Limpopo on Tuesday.
“So that process, unfortunately, all that we can say is that it’s going to take time."
Phaahla visited Mokopane Hospital, where the eight-year-old sole survivor of the crash is being treated.
“We are very grateful the child is doing well. It’s a real miracle that the child survived without breaking bones. Just minor scratches and wounds, which will heal as early as tomorrow. The child should be able to go home.”
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