A deep wave of mourning has engulfed Zimbabwe following the tragic revelation that a family of three was among the victims of last week’s horrific Limpopo cross-border bus crash. The devastating accident, which claimed dozens of lives, has left both Zimbabwean and South African communities heartbroken. Among the stories of loss, none has been more gut-wrenching than that of the Maidza family — a young couple and their child whose lives were cut short in an instant.
Liveon Maidza, a Zimbabwean who had been working in South Africa, was travelling home for what was meant to be a joyful reunion with his extended family. Accompanied by his wife and their little one, the trip symbolised hope — a brief escape from the pressures of migrant life and a chance to reconnect with loved ones. Yet, in a cruel twist of fate, the journey that began in excitement ended in tragedy. The family perished together, leaving behind shattered relatives and a grieving community.
Their bodies will be laid to rest side by side at their rural home in Mataga, Mberengwa. The Maidza family’s story has come to represent the profound human cost of the Limpopo disaster — a catastrophe that has not only claimed lives but also broken the hearts of countless families across borders.
At Siloam Hospital Mortuary in Limpopo Province, grief hung heavily in the air as families gathered to identify their loved ones. The process was agonising and deeply emotional. Many had travelled from across Zimbabwe, some hundreds of kilometres away, clinging to a sliver of hope that their relatives might somehow have survived. Instead, what awaited them was the harrowing confirmation of their worst fears.
Authorities in South Africa worked tirelessly to ensure the identification process was handled with care and precision. Limpopo Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba assured families that every effort was being made to guarantee accuracy and dignity in the procedure. “The identification was done through photography, physical verification, fingerprint matching, and DNA testing for the seven children,” she explained, underscoring the complexity of the operation.
The fatal crash involved a DNC Coaches bus carrying passengers from both Zimbabwe and Malawi. According to preliminary reports, the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer off the road and overturn. The horrific accident claimed the lives of 36 Zimbabweans and seven Malawians, while several others sustained serious injuries and remain hospitalised. Emergency responders worked through the night to rescue survivors and recover the bodies from the wreckage.
Family of Three Dies in Limpopo Bus Crash Last Week
Zimbabwe’s Charge d’Affaires in South Africa, Shepard Gwenzi, later provided a detailed update on the ongoing repatriation process. “On 20 October, the physical identification of the deceased was successfully conducted at Siloam Hospital Mortuary with all bodies positively identified by next of kin,” Gwenzi said. “It is expected that the bodies will be handed over to Doves Funeral Services on 21 October for embalming in preparation for repatriation to Zimbabwe for burial.”
The process of returning the victims to their homeland is being closely coordinated by the Zimbabwean Embassy in Pretoria, South African authorities, and local funeral service providers. Many of the deceased had been working in South Africa, supporting their families back home through remittances. Their deaths have not only left emotional wounds but also created financial hardships for those who depended on them.
In response to the scale of the disaster, President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the Limpopo bus crash a State of Disaster, a move that enables the government to mobilise resources and provide formal support to the bereaved families. The declaration ensures that state assistance will be extended to help with the repatriation and burial of the victims.
Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe confirmed the government’s involvement, saying: “In this regard, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and other Government entities, is calling upon relatives of the deceased to come forward and assist in the identification process.”
The government has also pledged to assist in covering part of the repatriation and funeral expenses. Coordination teams have been established to ensure that the process runs smoothly and that the victims are brought home in a dignified and organised manner.
As Zimbabwe prepares to receive the remains of 36 of its citizens, the mood across the nation is one of sorrow and solidarity. Communities, churches, and civil society organisations have united in prayer and compassion, offering donations and emotional support to the affected families.
For the people of Mberengwa, the death of the Maidza family is a wound that will take a long time to heal. Relatives and neighbours remember the couple as humble, hardworking, and full of dreams for a better future for their young child. Their passing has left an emptiness that words can hardly describe.
As the bodies are repatriated this week, Zimbabwe is preparing not for joyous reunions, but for a heartbreaking homecoming. The Limpopo bus disaster stands as a grim reminder of life’s fragility and the shared humanity that binds people across borders. While nothing can undo the tragedy, the return of the victims to their homeland will allow grieving families to finally say their goodbyes — and lay their loved ones to rest in the land they called home.
Source- iHarare
