Africa-Press – South-Africa. Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has expressed concern about the growing number of unclaimed bodies in the custody of the province’s Forensic Pathology Service (FPS).
There are at least 938 unidentified bodies in Gauteng mortuaries.
On Monday, the MEC called on families who are missing loved ones to visit mortuaries to see if their relatives are there.
“There are families who have been looking for their loved ones, not knowing where they are. We encourage them to visit FPS mortuaries to check if their loved ones are part of the unclaimed bodies, and if that is the case, they can give them a proper burial,” she said
People who wish to identify their loved ones must bring their IDs, birth certificates, or legal documentation if they are foreign nationals.
If their families are found, the authorities will contact them for burial arrangements. However, if the bodies remain unidentified after 30 days the state would bury them.
The department urged families to update their residential addresses with home affairs.
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