By Mpho Modiba
Following complaints of lack of storage for bodies at Maphutha L Malatji Hospital mortuary the hospital Management pleaded with the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality through the Office of the Mayor, Cllr Merriam Malatji to intervene.
Incorrect information about the deceased and the prolonged investigation by the police to trace their close relatives as well as those of social workers caused the delay
Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality led by the Mayor, Cllr Merriam Malatji, supported by Wisani Burial Society has on Wednesday morning finally laid to rest seven (7) unknown corpses who were at hospital mortuary for the past three (3) years.
Ba-Phalaborwa Mayor, Cllr Merriam Malatji, upon receiving the challenge, requested Wisani Burial Society to assist in providing them with a dignified send-off.
Maphutha Malatji’s Hospital spokesperson, Onnie Rammalo has called upon the residents to refrain from accommodating unknown citizens, particularly those that are not documented. “Most families are staying with unknown people and without proper documents (IDs) citing that when they get sick or admitted to the hospital, it becomes a burden for the hospital to identify them especially when they are dead”, said Rammalo.
Mayor, Cllr Merriam Malatji has also appreciated and expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Wisani Burial Society, Maphutha L Malatji Hospital and all the stakeholders for arranging a decent paupers funeral in a short space of time. “As the leader of the Municipality, we promote social cohesion and practising the preamble of our Constitution, everyone has a right to human dignity”, she said.
