Six deceased in Driekop bus-bombing positively identified
DRIEKOP – Six mine workers who died during a bus-bombing in Driekop village outside Burgersfort two weeks ago in the evening while en-route to Modikwa Platinum Mine, have been identified.
According to police, suspects got into the bus at a stopping point in Driekop village and threw in a flammable liquid before jumping out, leaving the bus in flames. Six people died and 28 others were seriously injured. The injured were taken to hospital.
The deceased have been positively identified through DNA examinations after their bodies were taken to state mortuary after the torching of the bus.
Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, Limpopo Provincial Police Spokesperson, said the six were identified as Moniccah Mabilo aged 57 years-old from Ga-Mahlokwane village, Johannes Malepe aged 56 years-old from Driekop village, Ziphora Makuwa aged 48 also from Driekop village, Solomon Komana aged 37 years-old and Simon Mahlokwane aged 42 years-old from Ga-Mahlokwane village and Pheta Ranku aged 58 years-old from Lesotho.
Meanwhile, the five suspects arrested following the incident have appeared before the Mecklenburg Magistrates Court on Thursday, 12 April 2018 on charges of six counts of murder, attempted murder and malicious damage to property.
The suspects, Sipho Khumalo (28) from Driekop, Aubrey Remos Tjie (35), Thabo Mokgala (33), Philimon Makwana (34) and Kgaogelo Moime (29) who was the first suspect to be arrested on Tuesday, 03 April 2018 were remanded in custody until 26Thursday April 2018 when they again appear for formal bail application before the court. The other four suspects were arrested in different locations on Wednesday, 04 April 2018.
