The family of Eric Molemo, who died in a hit-and-run incident, may not be able to hold his funeral on Saturday, 30 May, as planned.

Protest action by forensic pathology officers (FPO) has reportedly delayed the post-mortem.

Molemo (29) was hit by a vehicle at the robots near the Acornhoek Mall in the early hours of Friday, May 22, and the driver involved fled the scene.

Paramedics declared Molemo dead at the scene and his body was transported to the mortuary at Tintswalo Hospital.

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According to Molemo’s aunt, Merlyn Mkansi, the family went to the hospital today, May 26, to follow up on the post-mortem results.

“No one was giving us any feedback. Our visit to the hospital was part of our planning for the funeral that is scheduled to take place this coming Saturday,” said Mkansi.

“We got a shock of our lives and became very frustrated when we were told we would not be able to collect my nephew’s body this week because pathologists were on strike,” she added.

The Department of Health (DoH) confirmed that FPOs are on strike.

DoH spokesperson Chris Novela initially referred Lowveld Media to the department’s national office media statement, which reads: “The Department would like to assure the public that the operations at forensic pathology centres continue as usual, and anyone experiencing compromised services should report any form of service delivery disruptions linked to unprotected strike actions to the provincial health authorities for swift intervention.”

Asked what the Molemo family should do, considering they don’t have access to provincial health authorities, Novela asked for time to look into the matter.

Shortly thereafter he confirmed that Molemo’s post-mortem will take place tomorrow (Wednesday, May 27).

“While there are engagements with the organised labour, the department is attending to the services using health facilities that are not affected,” said Novela.

According to Welcome Mnisi, the Mpumalanga secretary of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union, the FPOs are demanding:
• their removal from the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD),
• Specialised remuneration structures,
• Dissection allowance of R5 000 per month (currently R750 per month),
• Special danger allowance of R950,
• Provision of personal protective equipment,
• Safe and conducive working environments, and
• Appointments for all vacant posts.

“We also demand the professionalisation of FPOs, substantial salary models, quality uniforms, and a stop to corrupt recruitment practices and nepotism,” said Mnisi.