Mass funeral proposed for bus crash victims

VUYO MKIZE

vuyo.mkhize@inl.co.za

SEVENTEEN of the 19 people killed during the horrific bus crash in Meyerton on Monday have been positively identified and will be buried in a mass funeral next week.

Driver Ishmael Khabi, Mantombi Baba, Aletta Raditsela, Vicky Bhanya, Isaac Nkululeko Mphosi, Maxwell Simon Tsekahadi, Mapaseka Martha Moreki, Lydia Nkatha, Gladis Mapisa, Jane Thibatsane, Alice Sikhosana, Mokgobo Annah Thulo, Lydia Lekgae, Mojalefa Malebese, Daizy Tshabalala, Elisa Mosoetsa and Rebecca Mosoetsa were all positively identified as their bereaved family members trickled into the Diepkloof mortuary throughout most of Tuesday and yesterday.

Two bodies still remain unidentified.

The Putco bus driven by Khabi, was carrying 74 passengers and travelling from Sebokeng towards Meyerton on the R59 when it crashed.

The 55 other passengers were seriously injured.

Thirteen of the injured victims were taken to Sebokeng Hospital, where three patients are in critical condition and in ICU and high care, and another seven patients are in stable condition.

One was discharged and the remaining two were transferred to other hospitals.

Two of the accident victims were airlifted to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, where one is still in ICU and the other is in a stable condition.

“What happened on Monday is a tragedy and our sympathies and prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones at this difficult time,” Gauteng MEC for Health Ntombi Mekgwe said yesterday.

A mass memorial service was proposed during a meeting held yesterday by the office of the mayor of the Sedibeng District Municipality, Mahole Simon Mofokeng.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Sedibeng District Municipality, the Emfuleni Municipality, the Gauteng Department of Transport, the Road Accident Fund and Putco.

The service has been proposed for July 4 from 11am until 1pm at the Mphatlalatsane Sports Complex in Sebokeng.

The proposed mass funeral is set to be held on July 7 at 8am.

”On behalf of the people of Sedibeng, I once again convey and express my deepest condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families and friends of the passengers who passed on (died) during this accident,” said Mofokeng.

“I would also like to wish the injured passengers a speedy recovery.”

The police are investigating a case of culpable homicide.