/ 20 August 2004

Rest in peace, Paul Meintjes

The late Paul Meintjes whom a prophet had predicted would rise from the dead must be buried by Saturday, according to an order delivered by police to his family in the Free State town of Hertzogville on Thursday.

On Wednesday his widow took delivery of Meintje’s 50-day-old corpse and has since kept it in a coffin beside her bed.

Free State police spokesperson Captain Sam Makhele said the family had 36 hours to respond to the order, failing which the police mortuary would apply for an order to bury the body.

Thursday evening’s order — delivered at 5.30pm — follows a decision by investigators from the Health Department who fear that the body poses a health threat. – Sapa