Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by David Masoeu MPL
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will question Free State Health MEC, Monyatso Mahlatsi, in the Legislature over the Department’s slow and inadequate response to the escalating mortuary crisis in the province.
We will also seek immediate clarity on how the MEC intends to ensure essential forensic pathology services in the interim, without compromising the dignity of the deceased and the rights of bereaved families, amidst widespread closures.
Three more government mortuaries in the Free State, which include Botshabelo, Bethlehem and Phuthaditjhaba has closed. This situation further aggravates already critical circumstances following the closure of the Bloemfontein mortuary, which was previously closed by the Department of Labour due to non-compliance.
The DA will engage with the MEC, Mr Mahlatsi, on the situation and the progress on his plans, which, according to a media source, is to collaborate with the National Department of Public Works to make infrastructure improvements to these facilities.
Prior to the recent action by the Department of Labour, six out of seven mortuaries, namely, Phuthaditjhaba, Bethlehem, Botshabelo, Welkom, Sasolburg, Kroonstad and Welkom, were still operational. Currently, only three out of the seven mortuaries are operational, with Bloemfontein being only partly operational.
The DA remains committed to ensuring accountability by the Department of Health and will also take the matter to the Human Rights Commission if there is no improvement in the situation.