The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has voiced concern over the staggering number of unclaimed and unidentified bodies held in government mortuaries across South Africa, with over 3,000 cases reported.
KwaZulu-Natal leads with 1,527 unclaimed bodies, followed by the Eastern Cape with 526, according to a recent briefing by Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo, chairperson of Parliament’s portfolio committee on health.
The issue stems from a combination of factors, including delays in DNA testing, challenges identifying foreign nationals, and a lack of burial sites. Many bodies remain unclaimed due to families not coming forward, exacerbating the crisis.
The Department of Health has initiated measures to tackle the issue, including the formation of a task team and collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to expedite DNA processing.
Additionally, they are working on addressing burial site shortages and considering partnerships with private cemeteries.
ATM national spokesperson Zama Ntshona called the situation a humanitarian crisis and a public health concern, urging swift action. He emphasized the need for advanced identification technologies and better communication to resolve the issue.
The Department of Health plans to provide a progress report in October, detailing efforts to manage unclaimed bodies and streamline the identification process.
