Relatives of victims from the tragic Makhado bus accident in South Africa are now facing a new ordeal — the loss of personal belongings, including cash, cellphones, and groceries — in the aftermath of the horrific crash that claimed 44 lives.
The accident, which occurred on October 12 while a bus was travelling from Port Elizabeth to Harare, left scores of families in mourning. Among the deceased were Zimbabweans and Malawians, and so far, 36 Zimbabwean and 8 Malawian victims have been officially identified with the help of their respective embassies and South African authorities.
While families continue to process their grief, many have raised concerns about missing valuables believed to have been lost or taken from the crash scene. Several relatives shared their frustration and anguish in interviews, citing a lack of clear assistance from authorities in recovering the lost items.
“We’re not just dealing with the heartbreak of losing our loved ones. We’re also trying to trace belongings that disappeared from the crash site,” said Mrs. Cynthia Razawo, a relative of one of the victims.
She explained that despite being promised the return of items collected by emergency services and police, the families have so far received little — in some cases, only a few personal effects such as a dress or hymn book, with wallets and phones missing.
“When we arrived, we weren’t allowed near the scene. The police said they were securing everything and collecting valuables for evidence. But when we finally received the belongings, the wallet was empty and the phones were gone,” she added.
Another grieving relative from Port Elizabeth, who lost three family members in the crash, reportedly told others at the scene that R60,000 was missing. According to the man, police asked him to provide a bank statement to support his claim.
At Makhado Police Station, relatives say belongings are stored with little organisation, making it nearly impossible to identify which items belonged to which victims. Clothes and shoes are reportedly grouped by category — men’s, women’s, and children’s — with no clear identification system.
Ms. Pauline Mhlolo shared her frustration over the disappearance of R15,000 her sister had been carrying, money that was intended for house renovations and school expenses for her child in Zimbabwe.
“I personally packed R10,000 in a plastic bag and placed it in her handbag, and she had another R5,000 in her wallet. When we first saw the body, she still had her handbag. Now the bag and all the money are missing,” said Mhlolo.
Mr. Nomore Dumbu, who lost his nephew Tinotenda Dumbu (27), also said he was unable to locate the young man’s wallet and passport, which were said to have been kept in a small bag he always wore around his neck. That bag, too, has not been found.
Many families are now appealing to South African authorities to assist in recovering what they believe were stolen or misplaced belongings. However, as of the latest reports, the South African Police Service (SAPS) had not responded to media inquiries regarding the missing items.
Speaking to journalists at Siloam Hospital on Monday during the ongoing identification of victims, Limpopo Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba acknowledged the issue and urged affected families to report missing items directly to the police.
“In such incidents, Emergency Medical Services are first to arrive and assist survivors. The police are then responsible for securing the scene and taking control of any personal belongings found. Families should approach SAPS once the identification process is complete if they are missing any items,” said Dr. Ramathuba.
She emphasised that only the police have the authority to manage and document belongings found at crash scenes and assured families that any property secured would be traceable through official channels.
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