President Emmerson Mnangagwa has conveyed his condolences following the fatal bus accident in South Africa’s Limpopo Province on Sunday, 12 October 2025, which claimed at least 40 lives, including several Zimbabwean citizens.
In a statement issued on Monday, President Mnangagwa said he was “shocked and deeply grieved” by the loss of lives and directed the government to assist with the repatriation, burial, and medical expenses of the Zimbabwean victims.
“It is with a deep sense of shock and grief that I learnt of the fatal road accident which claimed at least 40 people, drawn from different nationalities, including Zimbabwean citizens,” he said. “That so many lives were lost in this incident urges us to ensure maximum diligence in the movement of our peoples regardless of borders and differences in legislation. Life remains precious whenever it is lost and in whatever country.”
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Mnangagwa expressed gratitude to the South African government for its swift response to the tragedy, saying its cooperation was instrumental in ensuring the injured received timely medical attention.
“In view of increased cross-border movements in our SADC region, facilitated by our collective efforts towards a borderless Community, it has become necessary for traffic enforcement agencies across jurisdictions to collaborate more closely and for our respective governments to harmonise laws governing vehicular traffic,” he said.
He added that the Zimbabwean government will provide state assistance to families of the deceased and the injured.
“I have instructed relevant Government Departments and Agencies to extend State Assistance towards the repatriation and burial of Zimbabweans who perished in the accident, and to meet hospital costs for those injured,” Mnangagwa said.
The accident occurred along the N1 highway near Makhado and involved a DNC Coaches bus travelling from Gqeberha in South Africa’s Eastern Cape to Harare and Malawi.
Among the victims were 18 women, 17 men, and seven children, while dozens sustained injuries.
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