Grief-stricken families and relatives of the Easter weekend’s gruesome accident victims received solace and comfort when the Limpopo government organized a prayer service for them.

The service was addressed by Limpopo MEC for Roads and Transport Mr Lehlogonolo Masoga, officials from the Road Accident Fund (RAF) and Dr Maxwell Masakona of the Calvary Christian Church and was held at the Tshilidzini Hospital's main hall on Tuesday. Masoga was accompanied by the mayors of Thulamela and Makhado Municipality, Cllrs Grace Mahosi and David Mutavhatsindi, and the Chief Whip of the Vhembe District, Cllr Tshifhiwa Dali.

The accident killed eight people who were on their way to their families for the Easter weekend. This is the second horrific accident in Vhembe in three months. Two months ago, 10 people died between Thohoyandou and Malamulele when a minibus taxi carrying shoppers from Thohoyandou to the villages of Basani, Tshikonelo, Muraga, Shikundu and Mhinhgaville collided head-on with a bus from Malamulele.

Three of the seven passengers who were admitted to a local hospital have been discharged.

The dead have been identified as Octavia Muthaphuli (22) of Ha-Budeli, Mashudu Mbedzi (34) of Mangilasi, Matodzi Netshilungwi (35) of Khubvi, Tshifhiwa Mamphwe (24) of Tshalovha, Mulalo Nemaranzhe (19) of Phiphidi, Mukondeleli Mamphwe of Tshalovha and Abel Mthimunye (33) of Mpumalanga.

The Muthaphuli family of Habudeli suffered a double blow, when the grandmother of the deceased fainted and passed away upon hearing the bad news.

Masoga told families that they would do everything in their power to see to it that the families buried their loved ones with dignity. The RAF also announced that each family would receive R16 000 to assist with the burial.