Families suffer as mortuary staff strike
BODIES are piling up at mortuaries in KwaZulu-Natal and funeral parlour owners are at their wits’ end trying to console grieving families who are unable to get the bodies of their loved ones released.
They are hoping the KZN Department of Health’s court action, to interdict striking provincial mortuary workers, will bring an end to it.
However, by yesterday, the strike hadn’t ended. Frustrated families called on the Health MEC to act swiftly.
On Monday afternoon, 17 forensic pathology service workers were arrested at Fort Napier Medico-Legal Mortuary, for being in contempt of court. The department said it was implementing a contingency plan to mitigate the impact of the go-slow on the completion of post-mortems.
Pinetown Funeral Services director Clive Moodley said he had eight families waiting for their loved ones’ bodies to be released.
“These are all unnatural deaths so a post-mortem is required before the bodies are released. But despite our attempts to get assistance, workers remain adamant about striking until their demands are met.”
Moodley said it was taking a toll on families.
“Dealing with an unnatural death is difficult enough; not knowing when you can bury or cremate your loved one adds to the grief. The government needs to take action”
Lenny Reddy from Wyebank Funeral Services said he had a backlog of eight funerals.
“The bodies have been at the Pinetown mortuary for more than a week. I have families constantly walking in and out my office wanting answers. Families are suffering and it is not fair to them.”
Newlands City Funeral Services director Koshik Maharaj said the families he had dealt with were distraught.
“There are religious rituals and practices that need to be done in a specific time frame. This strike is hampering it and putting a strain on families. This shows religious intolerance and disrespect for those who are dead.”
Members of the public who wish to enquire about the progress of postmortems of their loved ones are urged to contact the KZN Health Provincial Operations Centre at 0800 005 133.