The number of unclaimed bodies at state mortuaries is showing signs of improvement, with figures reported at the end of February, revealing that the tally has dropped to 2,858, a decline from the 3,186 recorded in August 2024.

This was disclosed by Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi when he stated that there was a total of 3,819 pauper burials between April 2024 and April 2025 when he responded to parliamentary questions from ANC and Rise Mzansi parliamentarians.

Motsoaledi said the total number of unclaimed bodies in state mortuaries due to next-of-kin being unknown stood at 2,858 as at the end of February.

“There has been a general improvement in the management of unclaimed bodies in all provinces. The total number of unclaimed bodies stood at 2,858 in February 2025, compared to 3,186 in August 2024,” he said.

Motsoaledi stated that the number of unclaimed bodies did not remain static since families come forward to claim their loved ones, or the unclaimed bodies were buried as paupers.

“To date, the total number of pauper burials conducted in all provinces between 30 April 2024 and 30 April 2025 stood at 3,819.”

He named Limpopo, Kwa-Zulu Natal, North West, Eastern Cape, and the Western Cape as the provinces that have made progress in the management of unclaimed bodies.

Motsoaledi’s responses showed that KwaZulu-Natal recorded 695 uncollected bodies in February, down from 1,527 recorded six months earlier, while the North West reduced the unclaimed bodies from 166 to 132.

The Eastern Cape reduced its numbers from 526 to 485, and the Western Cape decreased the uncollected bodies from 299 to 176.

The Free State also showed a decrease in uncollected bodies from 93 to 65, while Limpopo recorded a decrease from 315 to 267.

However, Gauteng saw an upsurge from 176 uncollected bodies to 868 during the same period, Northern Cape recorded an increase from 31 to 71, and Mpumalanga’s numbers increased from 53 to 99.

Motsoaledi said the management of unclaimed bodies remained a collaborative effort between the Departments of Health and the SAPS, which was responsible for the identification of the unknown bodies and the tracing of the next of kin, and the municipalities that allocated burial sites and conducted pauper burials.

The situation of uncollected bodies was complicated by illegal foreign nationals who sometimes provided wrong names when attended to in healthcare facilities.

Motsoaledi also said the National Forensic Pathology Services committee continuously monitored the progress in the management of unclaimed bodies and engaged with all the necessary stakeholders.

“Provinces are encouraged to form provincial stakeholder forums which include the SAPS and municipalities so that the management of the identification processes and the pauper burials can be attended to with urgency,” he said.

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za

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