Province looking for help in unclaimed bodies cases

The provincial government is urging all families or relatives with missing family members or suspected deceased relatives to visit their nearest government mortuaries to check if they are not among the unclaimed bodies, some dating as far back as 2012.

The KZN Department of Health says it has also established a national forensic pathology committee to assist in clearing toxicology backlogs and to monitor the number of unclaimed bodies in government mortuaries.

To claim a body, families are urged to take copies of their IDs as well as a copy of the deceased person’s documents.

“A body is deemed unclaimed if no one comes forward to identify it within seven days of death. According to the law, bodies which remain unclaimed for more than 30 days, should be given a paupers burial. All pauper burials are documented and archived, including photographs, fingerprints and blood or tissue samples, in case family members come forward later,” read the notice.

The department is also engaging with local and provincial leadership to develop a comprehensive plan to address the shortage of burial sites, including exploring partnerships with private cemeteries.

For more information on unclaimed bodies or to report a missing person, community members are encouraged to visit their nearest police station or call 08600 10111 or report via the MySAPS app.