The investigation follows reports that a funeral parlour, hired by the health department, may have buried the bodies secretly in two separate graves. Concerns have been raised over the dignity and proper handling of the deceased in such cases.

A spokesperson for the provincial health department explained that unclaimed bodies, classified as paupers, are typically the responsibility of local municipalities. However, due to capacity challenges at the time, the department arranged for a service provider to handle the burials, citing pressure on the province’s mortuary storage.

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He stated that initial reports indicated the procedures were followed legally, but recent allegations have prompted a formal investigation. The department will share further details once the inquiry is complete.

This situation unfolds against a national backdrop of overcrowded government mortuaries, where unclaimed bodies continue to accumulate. By August 2024, over 3,000 unclaimed corpses had been recorded across the country, with some remaining unclaimed for up to three years. In Limpopo alone, the number of unclaimed bodies rose to 315.

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