Over 900 unidentified deceased bodies lie unclaimed in KwaZulu-Natal’s state mortuaries. This was discovered by the provincial legislature’s health portfolio committee during an oversight visit to several state mortuaries.

According to the committee, these bodies date as far back as 2017.

Chairperson of the legislature’s health portfolio committee, Imraan Keeka has urged the public with missing family members to report them to the police immediately.

“This will significantly assist in reducing the growing backlog of unidentified bodies at state mortuaries and may work towards families finding closure. The committee is also concerned about the increasing lack of space at state forensic facilities because of the unclaimed bodies, which are still being kept in those facilities. This places an immense strain on the current services.”