The Northern Cape Department of Health say they are battling with the number of unclaimed bodies that are piling up in State mortuaries.
The department says mortuaries in both Kimberley and Hartswater have large number of unclaimed bodies and that is creating challenges with storage space.
Provincial Health MEC Maruping Lekwene says there is close to 100 unclaimed bodies in provincial facilities, with some being there for five months already.
In August 2024, South Africa’s State mortuaries held over 3 000 unclaimed bodies.
“The problem is that these bodies are unclaimed and it’s becoming a problem because we can’t keep them forever, because as more people come, we won’t have space to accommodate them. So, we are busy, we have engaged with SAPS because SAPS needs to finalise their investigations to check who are these bodies.” - SABC NEWS
Abigail Visagie
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) yesterday confirmed that no one will be prosecuted in the alleged rape of seven year old Cwecwe from Matatiele in the Eastern Cape.
Last month the country took to the streets demanding #JusticeforCwecwe who was allegedly raped in October last year at the Bergview College school grounds.
According to the NPA, a case was presented to prosecutors in November last year at Matatiele Magistrates Court and various outlets that contained information with suspicions of sexual assault on a minor girl.
This case sparked national interest and various movements around the country, marched in support of the seven-year-old girl.
NPA National Spokesperson, Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga says the decision to not prosecute was reached because there was insufficient evidence and no conclusive evidence of rape or sexual assault could be found after an interview and examination was conducted on the minor.
He says the Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), later called for the docket, and the prosecutors in the DPP office re-looked the matter and confirmed the decision made by prosecutors.
Mhaga says that this decision was communicated to the police officers who had submitted the docket, and it was returned to them, and says the DPP did not release a public statement with regards to their decision at the time because doing so could have potential to compromise any ongoing police investigations.
“However, given the public outcry and interest generated since the matter resurfaced in April, the NPA has decided to communicate the decision of the prosecutors in the Eastern Cape Division. We can also indicate that the police have since resubmitted the docket to the DPP’s office for further consideration,” Mhaga concluded.
Abigail Visagie
BLOEMFONTEIN – Information regarding the electricity shutdown at the Opkoms Clinic in Heidedal is still sketchy as the health facility remains without electricity for the fifth day, making it difficult for patients to access some of the services that they are supposed to receive.
This health facility is a one-stop shop that offers essential services to the Heidedal community and surrounding areas.
The facility offers pre- and postnatal support, it has a maternity ward and chronic patients are referred to this facility for illnesses which, amongst others, include hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and more. Has now entered a fourth day without electricity.
PHOTO: Lerato Mutlanyane
According to a member of the clinic committee, Jane Fitz, the situation is dire. She says this problem started on Tuesday morning and has been an ongoing crisis.
"This is such an inconvenience because nurses cannot access the patient files because this is done electronically," Fitz said.
She added that the security officer does not report for duty anymore because it is too dark.
“The Heidedal neighborhood watch now has to patrol and ensure that the facilities are safe.
Matshidiso Mapudi, a nurse at the clinic, explains that being in "dark city" makes it difficult for them to dispense asthma pumps, to take blood pressure, weigh adults and babies, and to give blood pressure results.
“At this point, we cannot even heat the rooms when the babies undress for their check-ups or even make a cup of tea in the cold. Said Mapudi.
A group of patients reached out to Journal News and alleged that they were being turned back home by staff members at the clinic because of the electricity situation.
These patients claim that nurses did not want to help them.
However, Spokesperson for the Department of Health, Mondli Mvambi, who confirmed that the clinic is without electricity, says no patient has been turned away from the facility.
“It is not true that patients are being turned away by our staff members.
“I visited the Opkoms health facility and I spoke to the staff members.
“I can confirm that no patient has been told to go back home without receiving assistance.
“Our technicians have discovered that the problem is non-payment of electricity, which is the responsibility of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure,” he said.
According to spokesperson of the Free State Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, Mlungisi Maqubela, the issue of electricity has been resolved, and the Opkoms Clinic will be switched on as it offers essential services to the community.
“This stems from a decision and engagements taken between the accounting officers from all the entities involved, Public Works and Infrastructure, Health, and Power distribution utility Centlec. ” Maqubela said.
But Spokesperson for Centlec Lele Mamatu says this incident has nothing to do with an account being in arrears, and that an investigation will be launched to reach a clear and concise conclusion.
This is a developing story.
The ANC in Thabo Mofutsanyana District will host a regional local government summit at the Golden Gate National Park between 16 and 17 May.
BREAKING NEWS - Controversial Nigerian Pastor Timothy Omotoso has been rearrested.
Omotoso was recently acquitted on all charges of sexual assault, trafficking and rape. This is a developing story.
BLOEMFONTEIN - The cold in Bloemfontein this morning could clearly describe the somber mood at the funeral of 25-year-old Constable Boipelo Senoge, one of three police officers whose lifeless bodies were found in the Hennops River on 29 April.
