Funeral industry operators have vowed to continue with their nationwide “shutdown” of the offices of the Department of Home Affairs.

This was despite the department saying there had been a no-show by members of the Unification Task Team of the Funeral Industry (UTT) at any of the home affairs offices, after securing a court interdict on Wednesday.

Home affairs ministerial spokesperson Siya Qoza said since obtaining the interdict, which prohibited UTT members from intimidating staff, visitors and from the damaging of any home affairs property, there had been no disruptions in operations.

“As we speak currently, we have had no disruptions at any department’s offices. I have visited two offices and there is nothing.”

Qoza said the department had regular lines of communication with the UTT and the team had raised issues of concern to them, through such platforms.

“Some of the issues they have raised with us fall under the mandate of the Department of Health and local municipalities.”

He said in the regular engagements with the UTT, the department had indicated the need to consult the Department of Health and the local municipalities through the SA Local Government Association (Salga).

“The consultations between the departments of home affairs and health and Salga on the issues raised by UTT are taking place.”

On Tuesday, UTT members clashed with Tshwane metro police while protesting outside the home affairs head office in the Pretoria CBD

UTT spokesperson Muzi Hlengwa remained adamant they would “defy the court interdict and resume picketing”.

“We are carrying on until they issue a circular,” Hlengwa said.

He said funeral undertakers were respectable, peaceful business people who contributed billions to the economy of South Africa.

“As a result, the national shutdown will be well-planned and executed to clearly demonstrate the industry dissatisfaction towards DHA.”

He said there was no intention to vandalise or assault anyone during their shutdown.

In a statement prior to the protest, Hlengwa said: “We are warning those individuals and organisations who will try to interfere with the programme of the day, that UTT will not guarantee their safety and can’t be held responsible of any outcome should their actions be unfavourable to the national shutdown.”

Tshwane metro police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba said two people were arrested on Tuesday, during the undertakers’ protest.

“One was arrested for public violence, and the other for public violence and for carrying an unlicensed firearm.”

The protesters were demanding:

– Only members of recognised funeral associations must be allowed to register death certificates.

– Details of designated funeral undertakers must be readily accessible on any DHA office.

– Better integrated systems to service undertakers and DHA.

– Death registration must be allocated dedicated desks at all DHA offices.

– Foreign personal identification documents such as birth certificates should be accepted for the registration of death for foreign nationals.

– Affidavit should only be an accepted requirement for customs.

– The backlog of issuing of YBD to funeral undertakers must be fast tracked with immediate effect.

– Corrupt tendencies of DHA officials demanding money to facilitate registrations must come to an end with immediate effect.

– Certificate of competence should not form part of designation number (YBD) training and examination requirements.

– Bookings for sitting of YBD must be decentralised to district level and DHA must issue annual or mid-year scheduled dates and venues for the writing of designation examinations.