State will bury Oom Paul
2004-08-24 15:20
Bloemfontein - A magistrate granted permission on Tuesday for police to bury the body of the late Paul Meintjes of Hertzogville, whose family was told by a "prophet" that he would rise from the dead.
Free State police spokesperson Sam Makhele said: "We now have 24 hours to do the burial."
Police took the corpse away from Meintjes' family on Saturday amid concerns that it posed a health hazard.
The remains were returned to the family earlier last week after being kept at a funeral home since July 1.
Meintjes' widow then kept it beside her bed in her home in Hertzogville.
Meintjes died about eight weeks ago. His family have hoped fervently for his resurrection.
Makhele said Meintjes would probably be buried at Hertzogville by the state.
"We busy negotiating with the local authority for a suitable time and place within the time frame given," said Makhele.
Police applied for the order to bury Meintjes on Tuesday after the family had not met their deadline to contact police with funeral arrangements on Monday.
- SAPA