South African authorities have launched a full-scale investigation following the discovery of boxes containing antiretroviral drugs and other prescription medications at the site of a deadly bus crash in Limpopo province.
The accident, which occurred on Sunday, October 12, 2025, along the N1 near Makhado, claimed at least 42 lives and left dozens more injured. The bus, which was travelling from Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape to Harare, Zimbabwe, veered off the road and overturned, scattering bodies and debris across the scene.
Emergency responders working to recover survivors and bodies discovered a box filled with ARVs and other prescription drugs among the wreckage.
The discovery has sparked serious concern over the legality and origin of the medications, as no documentation was found to indicate authorization, ownership, or intended recipients.
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni expressed deep concern over the find, warning that the illegal movement of medicines undermines regional public health efforts.
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“The theft and illegal distribution of ARVs weaken the fight against HIV and AIDS in our region,” she said. “This is a brazen theft, and we urge all foreign nationals to respect South Africa’s laws and regulations.”
Under South Africa’s Medicines and Related Substances Act, the possession or transportation of certain scheduled medicines without proper authorisation is a criminal offence.
Authorities have warned that anyone found carrying large quantities of prescription drugs without the necessary permits could face prosecution.
Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that an inquiry has been opened to determine the origin and legality of the medication.
“We are investigating how the ARVs and other drugs came to be on the bus, who they belonged to, and whether they were being transported legally,” Ledwaba said. “We appeal to anyone with information to come forward.”
Officials suspect the discovery could be linked to a larger network of pharmaceutical smuggling that exploits cross-border transport routes between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The investigation remains ongoing, as authorities work to identify the victims and establish the full circumstances surrounding both the crash and the drugs found at the scene.
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