DNC bus accident: Government allocates US$197,000 for victims as repatriation process begins

Also Read Below: *South Africa’s Road Accident Fund says foreigners may claim compensation — if they comply with Immigration Act*

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GOVERNMENT has set aside nearly US$197,000 to cover the medical and repatriation costs for Zimbabwean victims of the Limpopo bus accident, which killed 44.

The victims, Zimbabweans and Malawians, were travelling back home when the DNC bus veered off the N1 North near Louis Trichardt on 13 October, killing 43 passengers and injuring 40 others, the victims. One more person succumbed to injuries in the hospital, bringing the death toll to 44.

36 Zimbabweans died and 13 remain hospitalised in South Africa, with three in a critical condition.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the accident was due to brake failure and overloading of the bus, which was carrying 91 passengers with only a 62-seater capacity.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has since declared the bus accident a national disaster.

Presenting a ministerial statement in the National Assembly recently, the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Benjamin Kabikira, said the repatriation will be conducted in batches beginning on Friday.

“The positive identification of all deceased was completed on the 20th of October, 2025, with the ZRP forensic team present to assist with the fingerprint screening and verification. In cases involving deceased children, DNA samples were collected from both the deceased and their next of kin for accurate identification.

“Then, on the death registration and documentation, all required documentation, including the death certificates and burial orders, are being processed to facilitate repatriation.

“The repatriation to Zimbabwe is anticipated to begin in batches from Friday, 24th October 2025, pending the completion of all formal processes. A mass memorial service will be held in Beitbridge when the bodies arrive in Zimbabwe,” said Kabikira.

Kabikira added that US$197,000 has been set aside to assist the victims.

“Secondly, we have dispatched a bus with next of kin or relatives from the National Disaster Management Centre, Harare, to the Beitbridge route to South Africa, for identification of the bodies. Zimbabwean nationals, that is next of kin without valid passports, were granted temporary passage into South Africa for the sole purpose of identifying the deceased.

“A list of names for the next of kin and national IDs was submitted to South African Immigration in advance to ensure smooth border processing. As a Ministry, post mortems were completed on Friday, the 17th of October, 2025 and the physical identification was also completed as of 20 October at Siloam Hospital.

“As an intervention, the department of Civil Protection requested the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and Zim Borders for a waiver of border charges for the hearses and bus carrying the bodies and families of the bereaved. The budget for intervention and coordination of the disaster is as follows: We are anticipating using a total amount of US$197,940 or ZWG5,340,930. 3 in the coordination and intervention of the disaster,” said Kabikira.

*South Africa’s Road Accident Fund says foreigners may claim compensation — if they comply with Immigration Act*

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) has confirmed that victims and families affected by the Limpopo bus disaster that killed and injured dozens of Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals are entitled to lodge claims for compensation — but there’s a legal catch that could determine who actually gets paid.

Responding to IOL, the RAF said that while all victims of the tragic DNC Coaches crash near Makhado have the right to apply for compensation under the Road Accident Fund Act, any potential payouts will depend on the outcome of investigations and on each claimant’s legal status in South Africa.

“Victims and/or families of last week’s bus crash in Limpopo are entitled to lodge claims according to the Road Accident Fund Act, [but] each claim will still have to be assessed on its own merit,” the RAF told IOL.

“It is not accurate that the RAF is liable for all or any accidents. Before the RAF can be liable, there must be an establishment of the fact that the accident was wrongfully caused.”

Fatal crash leaves dozens dead and injured

The bus, which was travelling from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) to Harare, plunged off an embankment near Makhado (Louis Trichardt) on 12 October, killing more than 40 people and leaving many passengers critically injured.

The vehicle was licensed to carry 61 passengers, but investigators from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) found that it was carrying more than 90 people, mostly Zimbabweans and Malawians returning home.

The Zimbabwean government has since stepped in to assist its citizens — pledging to repatriate the remains of those who died, cover hospital costs for the injured, and coordinate with South African authorities. Malawian officials are conducting similar efforts to identify and assist their nationals.

RAF: Liability not automatic

The RAF’s intervention comes amid public speculation that the fund is automatically liable for compensation to foreign nationals injured or killed on South African roads.

However, the agency’s statement makes clear that liability must first be established under Section 3 of the RAF Act, which stipulates that compensation can only be paid for “loss or damage wrongfully caused by the driving of a motor vehicle.”

That means that each claim will have to be individually investigated — including who was at fault, whether the driver or bus company was negligent, and whether the vehicle was legally roadworthy.

“Until the claims are lodged with the RAF, we implore everyone concerned to allow the relevant authorities to conclude their investigations before any pronouncements are made on the liability of the RAF,” the Fund told IOL.N

Immigration law complicates foreign claims

The RAF also introduced a crucial legal caveat that could prevent some victims — particularly those without valid documentation — from receiving compensation.

“The RAF as an organ of state is obliged to comply with section 42 of the Immigration Act, which prohibits the aiding and abetting of illegal foreigners,” the Fund said.

“Where the RAF’s liability is established, the payment of compensation must not contravene any other law such as the Immigration Act.”

In practice, this means that while foreign nationals are not excluded from lodging claims, undocumented migrants may face legal barriers if their compensation would be deemed to “aid or abet” an illegal presence in the country.

Legal experts say this clause could become a flashpoint in the coming weeks, as lawyers for victims test whether the RAF can lawfully withhold payments based on immigration status.

RAF extends sympathy, pledges assistance

Despite its legal caution, the RAF extended condolences to those affected, saying it “sympathizes with the families of those injured and deceased in the accident” and pledges to support them through the claims process.

The agency urged survivors and families to make contact through its call centre (087 820 1111), WhatsApp line (071 605 4707), or email contactcentre@raf.co.za.

Broader questions about rights of foreign nationals

The Limpopo tragedy has reignited debate about the rights of foreign nationals in South Africa — especially when it comes to access to public compensation funds.

Anti-immigrant groups have criticised the idea of South African taxpayers compensating non-citizens, while rights advocates argue that the RAF’s mandate applies to all persons injured or killed on South African roads, regardless of nationality.

The outcome of the Limpopo case could set an important legal and moral precedent, testing the intersection of immigration law, human rights, and public compensation.

Investigations ongoing

Authorities from the Road Traffic Management Corporation and Limpopo Transport Department are continuing investigations into the crash. Early findings point to excessive speed, overloading, and poor vehicle maintenance as likely contributing factors.

For now, survivors and families are being advised to gather identity documents, medical records, and accident reports to prepare their claims — a process that could take months to resolve.