Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba, has tasked the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) to investigate passenger complaints surrounding a Jitotwe Bus which claimed four lives in South Africa yesterday.

In a statement Embassy Press Secretary in South Africa Nicky Shabolyo, Mwamba said the survivors of the road mishap which happened along Louis Trichardt town in South Africa, claimed that the bus in question was not road worthy at the time of departure.

“Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Mwamba has written to the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) to investigate passengers’ complaints regarding a road traffic accident involving a bus owned by Jitotwe Bus Services where three Zambians died in South Africa on Sunday. The three Zambians died on the spot while five others are in critical condition and have been admitted to medical facilities in Limpopo Province,” Shabolya stated.

“Mr. Mwamba has disclosed that passengers have complained to his office suspecting and alleging that the particular Jitotwe bus, was not road worthy at the time of departure. He also said that some passengers claimed that they bought tickets for InterCape Bus Services but were dispatched on the Jitotwe Bus. He said these complaints were serious and had therefore been forwarded to RTSA to examine and possibly investigate.”

Shabolya stated that Mwamba had engaged Jitotwe Bus Services management to facilitate the repatriation of the victims of the accident.

“Mr Mwamba said his office was discussing with Jitotwe Bus Services management regarding the repatriation of the bodies of the departed and he further disclosed that another bus has been sent to South Africa to dispatch the passengers that were discharged, to Zambia. He explained that the bus would today leave for Zambia carrying the 26 passengers and that other passengers earlier found their way home,” Shabolya stated.

He stated that Mwamba said the deceased had already been identified and that out of the four who died, one was a Congolese National while the other three were Zambians.

“Those who died have been identified as Memory Kainga and her daughter, Taonga Mwale. Angel Kunda, the conductor (host) of the bus. Out of the four people who died, three were Zambians and one has been identified as a Congolese national,” stated Shabolya.

Shabolya stated that Mwamba also expressed gratitude to the Anglican Church in Trichardt, that sheltered the accident victims after they were discharged.