Death-certificate scam probed
2004-05-01 07:25
Marida Fitzpatrick
Johannesburg - A Heidelberg family was apparently asked by police to pay R3 000 for a death certificate for their father.
The police unit against organised crime confirmed on Friday that two officers from Heidelberg were being investigated in connection with the allegation of corruption.
Chris Curwen, 63, died on Sunday night of a massive heart attack, said his daughter, Tina Moolman.
"Paramedics declared him dead and confirmed the cause of death was a heart attack."
According to Moolman, the family was told to wait for police.
"I could not understand it, but we were in such shock that we complied."
Members of Heidelberg police station later arrived with a mortuary van.
They placed put Moolman's father's body in a body bag and carried him out of the house "like a sack of potatoes".
"My mouth just hung open I was so shocked."
Were told tests might nullify payouts
The next day, two officers were waiting for them at the mortuary.
"They closed the door and said they wanted to help us because they felt sorry for us."
The police then apparently told Moolman that blood samples from her father had to be sent for testing and would be tested for cholestrol, among other things.
The family was then warned that, depending on the results of the tests, Curwen's policies might not pay out.
In the same breath, the family was told there was a solution - at a price.
A doctor could issue a death certificate without any tests being carried out - at a cost of R3 000.
Moolman, however, realised it was a scam and lodged a complaint with the anti-organised crime unit.
A charge of corruption was laid against the officers.
10 bodies a week for R16 000
Beeld understands that another charge of corruption is already being investigated against one of the officers.
He apparently promised an undertaker he could provide him with 10 bodies a week in exchange for a loan of R16 000.
Moolman, meanwhile, is furious: "They were meant to protect us and serve us, but they tried to con us in our weakest moment."
Superintendent Andy Pieke said police did not get involved in any death where a person had died of natural causes.
A funeral parlour removed the body and a doctor or pathologist issued the death certificate.
- Beeld