Thelle Mogoerane Hospital prepares to release unclaimed bodies
Unclaimed bodies will be handed over to the government mortuary and they will be buried as paupers.
Ekurhuleni Health District (EHD) is calling on families with diseased family members at Thelle Mogoerane Hospital to claim bodies of their loved ones, as the deadline for burials of the unclaimed bodies looms.
After months of unsuccessfully trying to trace family members, the health district has run out of space to keep the bodies at the required temperature.
They previously told Kathorus MAIL the hospital has done everything possible to trace family members.
EHD communications officer Joseph Monaheng said families and relatives have until December 1 to claim the bodies of their loved ones.
“The remaining bodies will be handed over to the government mortuary and they will be buried as paupers,” said Monaheng.
The unidentified cases include:
• Themba Hlongwane, male aged 31, date of death is August 15. No address was provided. The deceased was picked up next to Greenfields Primary School. The mortuary employee spoke to several people, who did not know the deceased.
• Simon Murhombe, male aged 45 from 6440 Zoro Street, Moleleki section, Katlehong. The second address is Khumalo Section, Katlehong. Date of death is April 27. It is said the deceased left home in Mozambique to SA a long time ago. Contact details that reflect on the system have proven fruitless.
• Moses Ylka, male aged 55 of 1173 Extension, Thokoza, date of death, May 10.
• Losina/Rosina Mndaweni, female aged 45, from 11 Mwinilunga Street, Vosloorus, and 41 Zambia Street, Ext 28. Date of death, May 28.
• Baby to Aminosse Mhabanga, three-day-old male from 98759 Mofokeng Section, Katlehong, who died on May 11. The parents were notified by Dr Cole from ward two and SR Ranwashe. The grandparents went to the mortuary without documents, they said they are going to organise an undertaker and never returned.
• Baby to Paida Mafemani, 27-day-old male from 1428 Block A, Mabopane, who died on June 7. Mabopane SAPS notified Mofolo. On June 29, Rhumbidzai informed Paida to avail herself at the hospital mortuary and get burial assistance if she has financial problems. Till today the body is still unclaimed.
• Struthers Rianna de West, a 42-year-old male from Makause Settlement, Primrose, Germiston, date of death, July 12. A man came to identify the deceased only to find the body at the mortuary is of a white man, they were looking for a coloured man.
• Isaac Mhlanga, aged 55, from 0909 Phase Five, Tsietsi, Katlehong. Date of death July 18. According to the neighbour, the deceased is from Chai Chai from Mozambique.
• Richard Fakazi, aged 89 from 579 Sotwana Section, Thembisa, died on July 17. Busisiwe was informed telephonically, she said the deceased is originally from Redhill, Durban. He was a teacher, his wife is Belinda and his daughter is Lindiwe Fakazi. The secretary of the commander of Redhill SAPS, Ntokozo Zondo, was informed and she promised to assist to trace relatives.
• Edward Ventrinto, aged 49 from 1029 Prickle Pear Street, Ext 10, Phumula, died on September 16. At the time of death, the landlord Barbra was informed telephonically. The contact details on the file were not being answered.
On September 30, the mortuary employee went to the address on the file, the employee returned with information from tenants that the deceased is from Malawi. The relatives said they do not have money to come to SA to claim the body.
