Police have started the process of identifying 40 bodies found rotting at a funeral parlour at Umlazi, near Durban, a spokesperson said on Friday.
Director Bala Naidoo said a task team has been appointed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the bodies.
”Most of the bodies were in an advanced stage of decomposition. The lack of proper documentation has complicated the identification process,” he said.
”This morning [Friday], the investigators attached to the task team held a meeting with staff from the medico-legal laboratory and a pathologist to determine the appropriate steps needed to address this problem.”
It was decided priority would be given to identifying the bodies and determining how each had died.
”During this process, the pathologists would assist in seeking identification marks on the body, including the examination of stained clothing. The process would also entail determining the age, sex and the exact number of bodies,” Naidoo said.
”The second process would be a preliminary external examination of all the bodies to determine the presence any wounds, before conducting the full post-mortem and possible determination of the cause of death.”
The team will consult a senior public prosecutor to determine what possible charges should be brought against the owners of the funeral parlour. — Sapa