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Police Exhume 40 Paupers Buried in Mookgophong Cemetery
Limpopo Health Department Probes Mass Burial of 40 Paupers Without Caskets
The Limpopo Department of Health has launched a full investigation into the mass burial of approximately 40 paupers in two communal graves at Mookgopong Cemetery, located in the Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality.
On Monday, forensic pathology officials from the Department of Health, in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), began the exhumation of remains from the graves at the Mookgopong Cemetery.
According to a report by SABC News, the remains were buried in two separate graves without coffins for each deceased person, allegedly in violation of South African burial regulations.
Department spokesperson Neil Shikwambana confirmed that the burial was handled by a service provider appointed by the department, as the municipality was struggling with operational constraints.
He stated that the department took urgent action due to the overcapacity in public mortuaries.
“We had to step in to find a service provider to conduct the burial because we were under immense pressure in our storage facility. Imagine if you have got 40 unclaimed bodies in your mortuaries—the kind of effect that would have on your service delivery requirements.”
However, the department has now acknowledged receiving new allegations regarding the manner of the burial, prompting a review of reports and procedures already on file.
“Through the office of the Head of Department, we have actually started an investigation just to find out from the report that we already had and also the newly brought information about the graves in that particular area.”
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According to the department, the Modimolle-Mookgopong Local Municipality was unable to carry out the burials due to logistical challenges.
The Health Department was therefore compelled to procure a private funeral parlour under emergency circumstances.
The 40 individuals in question were reportedly unclaimed deceased persons, stored at various state mortuaries across the Waterberg District.
Some had reportedly remained in cold storage for several months, leading to concerns over space, decomposition, and health hazards.