By David Masoeu | DA Spokesperson for Health in the Free State Legislature
Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by David Masoeu MPL and Afrikaans soundbite by Werner Pretorius MPL
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Free State is taking urgent steps to hold the Department of Health accountable for its continued failure to comply with labour and health regulations at the Bloemfontein mortuary. Despite repeated warnings, the department has not addressed critical legislative concerns raised by the Department of Labour on behalf of employees.
On 23 October 2024, the DA raised concerns about the closure of the Bloemfontein mortuary due to non-compliance with legal requirements. The failure to resolve these issues has now resulted in families being forced to wait up to three weeks before they can bury their loved ones. This prolonged delay is deeply traumatic for grieving families.
Employees at the mortuary had previously lodged complaints with the Department of Labour regarding:
- Blocked drains leading from autopsy tables;
- Non-functional extractor fans, forcing employees to work outside due to the unbearable stench inside;
- A severe shortage of functioning mortuary fridges, with the situation now worse than before;
- Chronic understaffing and a lack of essential protective equipment.
The DA has repeatedly questioned the MEC for Health in the Free State Legislature, demanding urgent action to rectify these serious breaches of legislation. However, the department has failed to act, further worsening the crisis. Currently, autopsies are not being performed at the Bloemfontein mortuary, forcing bodies to be transported to already overburdened facilities in Botshabelo and Welkom. The backlog has led to bodies being stored for extended periods in malfunctioning fridges, intensifying the distress of affected families.
The DA will intensify its oversight efforts and apply sustained pressure on the Free State Department of Health to immediately address the deteriorating conditions in mortuaries across the province. The continued failure to act is not just a legal violation but a humanitarian crisis that must be resolved without further delay.