The 2 presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Cyril Ramaphosa have expressed deep sorrow and shock after a horrific bus crash in Limpopo, South Africa, claimed a minimum of 42 lives on Sunday, 12 October 2025.
The DNC Coaches bus was travelling from Gqeberha to Harare and Malawi when the accident occurred, and among the many useless had been Zimbabwean residents.
Mnangagwa’s message of condolence
In a press release issued on 13 October 2025, Zimbabwean President Mnangagwa described the tragedy as devastating.
He stated:
“It’s with a deep sense of shock and grief that I learnt of the deadly highway accident which claimed a minimum of 40 individuals, who’re drawn from totally different nationalities, together with Zimbabwean residents. That so many lives had been misplaced on this incident as soon as extra urges us to make sure most diligence within the motion of our peoples no matter borders and variations in laws. Life stays valuable each time it’s misplaced and in no matter nation.”
Mnangagwa additionally referred to as for stronger regional cooperation on highway security inside the SADC group.
“In view of elevated cross-border actions in our SADC area, facilitated by our collective efforts in direction of a borderless Group, it has develop into incumbent for visitors enforcement companies throughout jurisdictions to collaborate extra intently, and for our respective Governments to harmonise our legislations in respect of vehicular visitors,” stated the President.
State help for victims
Mnangagwa confirmed that the federal government will help the affected households.
“On behalf of the Authorities of Zimbabwe, I want to categorical my heartfelt condolences to households of the bereaved commuters right here in Zimbabwe and different SADC nations so affected. I’ve instructed the related Authorities Departments and Companies in Zimbabwe to increase State Help in direction of the repatriation of the stays of Zimbabweans who perished within the accident, and to increase related help in direction of their burial. In respect of the injured, the Authorities will meet all hospital payments.”
The announcement supplied some consolation to grieving households awaiting the return of their family members.
Ramaphosa additionally sends condolences
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa additionally mourned the victims and expressed solidarity with Zimbabwe and Malawi.
“This incident is a tragedy for South Africa and our sister states of Zimbabwe and Malawi alike. This disappointment is compounded by the truth that this incident has taken place throughout our annual Transport Month, the place we place a particular concentrate on the significance of security on our roads.”
He added:
“Our roads are additionally financial networks that carry the individuals of our area collectively throughout our nationwide borders. We should do all the things we are able to as highway customers, as transport operators, drivers and passengers to make sure that we keep secure and that we share our roads responsibly and with take care of each other.”
Investigations into the reason for the accident are nonetheless underway. Authorities closed the N1 close to Ingwe Lodge for a number of hours on 12 October 2025 whereas emergency companies cleared the wreckage.
