MAKHADO, LIMPOPO – Police have launched an inquiry after large quantities of codeine-based medication were discovered at the scene of Sunday’s fatal bus crash near Makhado, which claimed at least 43 lives.
According to Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, several bags containing codeine-rich cough mixture were found scattered across the crash site. Authorities are now investigating the origin of the medication and whether it was being transported legally.
Ledwaba said while the owner of the bottles of medication has not yet been identified, investigations continue so that police can establish their origin. He added that under Section 22A of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, it is a criminal offence to possess certain scheduled medicines without proper authorisation.
“Legally, a person is only allowed to carry the amount of medicine prescribed by an authorised medical practitioner. Possessing or transporting large quantities without permission is illegal,” Ledwaba explained.
Meanwhile, families of the victims have begun the painful process of identifying remains at local mortuaries. The tragic crash, which involved a bus carrying passengers from Zimbabwe and Malawi, left many bodies badly burnt, making identification difficult. Officials are now collecting fingerprints and working with authorities from Malawi and Zimbabwe to cross-check records. Many of the deceased reportedly did not have identification documents, further complicating the process.
The bus was en route to Johannesburg when it overturned and caught fire near the Makhado area on Sunday. Preliminary reports from the Department of Transport suggest that speeding and overloading contributed to the disaster. As investigations continue, police are urging anyone with information about the ownership or intended destination of the confiscated medication to come forward