MOLEPOLOLE: Following the devastating tragic bus accident that claimed the lives of 45 Batswana pilgrims enroute to St Engenas Zion Christian Church (ZCC) in Moria, a mass burial to inter the remains of the deceased will take place in the wee hours of Saturday morning at Garanta cemetery in Molepolole.
The funeral will be precdeded by a service that will be held at the Molepolole Sports Complex Stadium without public nor family viewing of the body remains.
Speaking at the public’s address at Molepolole, the Minister for State President, Kabo Morwaeng stated that the core reason that there will not be viewing of the body remains it is because of the mechanical damage the corpses suffered from. “The body remains of our 45 victims of the tragic bus accident will be brought in sealed caskets and we want to assure you that they are clearly labelled. So, this said there will be no viewing of the bodies as that would be insensitive given the impact of the crash and the fire,” he pleaded with the bereaved families. In the meantime, the Minister highlighted that they come to the end of the repatriation protocols as Botswana representatives has assured them that the remains will arrive today (Tuesday). The body remains are expected to leave Polokwane, South Africa at 10am and will be expected to arrive at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKIA) at 11am.
Upon arrival, Morwaeng stated that the corpses will then be ferried to Molepolole to the funeral parlours for easy movement on the burial day and make it easy for families too. “After transportation to Molepolole mortuaries, on Friday, families will be given the chance to take the corpses to their homes and later in the evening be returned back to the mortuaries. Then on Saturday morning, they will taken them straight to the stadium where the ceremony will be held,” he emphasised.
The final resting for the tragic bus victims will be at the Garanta Cemetery in Molepolole while the bus driver who was hailing from Thamaga will be buried at his home village after the service at the stadium. For those who would like to attend to the funeral service but cannot do so, the service will be aired of the national television, national radio stations and other media platforms.
Speaking on behalf of the bereaved families, Kagalelo Layeng lauded the government for incessantly supporting them during the dark period and made it sure that they will get to bury their family members.
