Western Cape police are investigating necrophilia and the illegal amputation of body parts at the Salt River mortuary, a spokesperson said on Thursday.
Superintendent Rian Pool said a pathologist took fluid and tissue samples from a body as a ”precautionary measure” to determine whether the corpse had been sexually violated after death.
The identity of the deceased will not be revealed at this stage, because the investigation is only a precautionary measure to determine ”beyond all doubt” that no violation of the body occurred after death.
”Should the outcome of the investigation indicate that post-mortem violation took place, it will be made public,” said Pool.
In another incident, police are also investigating the illegal amputation of a foot from the body of an accident victim received at the mortuary on July 31.
According to an autopsy report conducted on August 1, the body still had both feet.
Later, a police officer ”discovered that the right foot of the body had been amputated. An investigation into the illegal amputation of the leg was immediately launched.”
Pool said both case are being investigated by the police, and the investigations are being closely monitored by the Independent Complaints Directorate. — Sapa