Be respectful in our country — SA Cabinet warns foreign visitors

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has called on all foreign nationals living in or travelling through South Africa to “be well-mannered guests.” She made the remarks during a post-Cabinet briefing following the deadly Limpopo bus crash that claimed around 40 lives, including that of a 10-month-old infant.

Ntshavheni confirmed that the bus, which was travelling from Port Elizabeth to Zimbabwe and Malawi, was carrying passengers who may have been involved in cross-border activities. She revealed that authorities discovered significant quantities of medication at the crash site, which she said could indicate “a potential case for pharmaceutical smuggling.”

“This tragic accident has raised broader concerns about how our borders are being used. Cabinet calls on all foreign nationals to respect South Africa’s laws and to be well-mannered guests while they are in our country,” said Ntshavheni.

The Minister added that while the government mourns the loss of life, the discovery of unregistered medicine points to possible criminal activity that will be thoroughly investigated. The Limpopo Transport MEC, Violet Mathye, earlier confirmed that the vehicle was overloaded and that many passengers were undocumented, intensifying questions about border and road safety enforcement.

The crash, which occurred along the N1 highway, has reignited national debate about passenger transport regulations, illegal cross-border travel, and the role of transport operators in ensuring compliance with immigration and customs laws.Authorities say they are working with the embassies of Zimbabwe and Malawi to identify the deceased and assist their families. Meanwhile, police and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) are examining the recovered medication to determine its origin and legality.

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