Unclaimed bodies in Gauteng
2003-12-17 10:46
Johannesburg - It is tragic that 211 unclaimed bodies lie at Gauteng mortuaries, Democratic Alliance MPL Jack Bloom said on Wednesday.
"It reflects broken families, poverty, the increasing effects of Aids, and illegal immigrants who die far away from home," Bloom said.
He said 55 of the unclaimed bodies were at the Johannesburg Medico Legal Laboratory, 35 in Pretoria, 34 in Germiston, 30 at Sebokeng, 29 in Roodepoort, 25 in Soweto and three at Vanderbijlpark.
"Most of these are unidentified, but many families identify relatives and leave them to be buried by the state," he said.
The number of bodies was revealed in a written reply from Gauteng safety and liaison MEC Nomvula Mokonyane, Bloom said.
- SAPA