A bus crashed on the N1 North near Ingwe Lodge in Musina. Image credit: Arrive Alive
(The Post News) – Following the discovery of boxes containing antiretroviral (ARV) medications and other unregistered prescription medications in the debris of a cross-border bus accident that claimed 43 lives, the South African Cabinet has opened an in-depth investigation into possible pharmaceutical smuggling.
After a Cabinet meeting, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni confirmed the investigations, saying the revelation had left government officials “disappointed and disquiet.”
Ntshavheni stated, “A thorough investigation has been initiated, and law enforcement agencies are also considering this accident as a possible case of pharmaceutical smuggling.”
Warning Issued to Foreign Nationals
The Minister emphasised that the region’s efforts to fight HIV are challenged by the alleged theft and illegal transportation of ARVs. She emphasised the need to follow South African legislation.
The Cabinet urges visitors from other countries to behave politely while in South Africa. Ntshavheni warned, “Unfortunately, the evidence proving obvious pill theft from government clinics does not help efforts to restore conditions for foreign nationals to access public healthcare.”
An investigation docket has been opened by the Limpopo branch of the South African Police Service (SAPS) to look into possible violations of the Medicines and Related Substances Act relating to the unlawful possession of classified medications.
Identification Progress and Border Solution
The identification of the victims, who were Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals returning home from the Eastern Cape, is almost finished.
34 of the 43 human remains have now been identified by their relatives, according to a statement made by Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba. It is difficult to identify the other nine victims, though, because some of their relatives do not have the required travel documents to enter South Africa.
The Premier approved an exceptional approach to break the deadlock: authorities will meet with Zimbabwean officials and the families of the deceased at the border gate with a photo album of the remaining victims.
Additionally, the government promised to help Malawi and Zimbabwe repatriate the bodies after the process was completed.
Critical Survivors and Emotional Trauma
Seventeen survivors are still in hospitals in the province of Limpopo during a complicated investigation. Reports from the recovery and hospital coordination efforts suggest the depth of the emotional trauma, with concerns being raised that some mothers fighting for their lives may be unaware that their children were killed in the crash.
The accident, which involved an alleged 61-seater bus carrying over 90 passengers, has also drawn attention to a widespread failure by police at checkpoints to enforce restrictions against overloading and poor driving, according to the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA).
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