An investigation will be launched into the management of a mortuary in Butterworth where bodies were left to decompose, the Eastern Cape Health Department said on Saturday.
Departmental spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said it had been established that the bodies were left to decompose at the multimillion-rand facility because generators had run out of diesel.
”It was pure gross negligence. An investigation will be launched by the department. We are very upset.”
He said the generators had apparently been out of use since Thursday, which had effected the condition of two bodies.
In 2006, the health department took over certain forensic services from the police.
It then began building a facility for forensic purposes in Butterworth — part of R80-million spent on such projects across the province.
While the construction was under way, bodies which were needed in police investigations were stored at the Butterworth Hospital.
However Kupelo said the hospital was then set to undergo renovations.
Although the Butterworth facility was not yet electrified, a plan was made to use generators and keep the bodies there.
”For over a month things were running smoothly until they ran out of diesel … Bodies decomposed because of that.”
Kupelo said once the department became aware of the situation, over the weekend, bodies were taken to be stored at a similar facility in Dutywa.
The generators at Butterworth have also been refilled.
”Running out of diesel, it’s not on at all. There was no mechanical fault. It’s a simple thing to manage.”
Kupelo said staff at the mortuary said they had placed an order for diesel but the supplier had told them he could not deliver such a large amount.
However Kupelo said this explanation was ”not convincing” as the department had transport available for such situations.
Kupelo said already, as a result of the negligence, one family had to bury their family member earlier than planned because his body was so severely decomposed.
”We are definitely going to take appropriate action against any individual who compromised service. We cannot allow this kind of situation,” said Kupelo. – Sapa