It takes government mortuary vans five hours to collect corpses at accidents

Local Metro Police officers and concerned residents have complained about the amount of time it takes Springs Government Mortuary vans to collect bodies at scene of accidents.

EMPD officers said it takes up to five hours on average for the vans to arrive.

“Apart from traumatising family members of the deceased and passersby, it also affects the amount of time it takes traffic officers to clear the scene, which results in backed up traffic,” said an EMPD officer who wished to remain anonymous.

He added that the weather sometimes becomes hot and starts affecting the body.

Just recently, a cyclist died after being knocked down at the intersection of Harrison Street and Newlands Avenue.

“We phoned the mortuary at 7am and it arrived five hours later,” said the officer.

The Gauteng Department of Health said it is not aware of any delays amounting to five hours, and that nothing to that effect has been reported.

Prince Hamca, head of communications at the Gauteng Health Department, said that forensic pathology officers do not investigate the scene, as this is the competency of the SAPS.

“They have to complete their scene investigation before a body is removed to a mortuary,” he added.

Hamca encouraged those affected to call the department’s 24-hour call centre, on 0860 011 000, to lodge any complaints.

“All concerns will be thoroughly investigated and appropriate action will be taken,” he added.