Unclaimed bodies proving problem
By Zwanga Mukhuthu - 19 November 2015
NEARLY 200 unclaimed corpses in state mortuaries and hospitals across the Eastern Cape could soon be given paupers’ burials. The provincial Department of Health said its facilities were filled to capacity with 199 unclaimed bodies. Of these, 83 are in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro area, 69 in the Mthatha area, 41 in the East London area and six in Amathole.
The bodies have accumulated since the beginning of the year and are of people who died in hospital wards and those found dead in public spaces. Health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said by law the department was not allowed to keep corpses at its facilities for more than 90 days. He said efforts by health officials and police to trace relatives of the deceased had proved difficult.
