On July 4, the MEC for the Eastern Cape Transport Department, Xolile Nqatha will be providing support to family members in Komani as they identify the bodies of their loved ones who died in a minibus taxi accident on the bypass on the N9/N10 near Middelburg on July 2.
As previously reported, it is alleged that at about 23:00 on July 2 a heavy-duty truck hit a stray animal and the driver lost control.
As the driver was trying to regain control, its trailer gave in, fell over and hit a fully loaded taxi which was driving in the opposite direction.
All 15 of the passengers in the mini-bus taxi died, which included nine women and four men. Also among the victims were a two-month-old baby and a two-year-old toddler.
According to the spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Transport Department, Unathi Binqose, six of the 15 bodies have been positively identified.
He said they hope that the nine outstanding bodies will be identified on July 4.
Binqose said Nqatha will be present during the identification process in Komani to support the many devastated families.
“Additional officials from various government departments will be present alongside Nqatha which includes the Department of Social Development,” said Binqose.
He further said families will also be allowed to move the bodies of their loved to funeral parlors of their choice.