Undertakers take government and hospitals to task over small business killing legislation
Small funeral undertakers have taken out their frustrations at private hospitals after a legislation they claim favours big mortuaries over small ones.
Department of Health officials are set to meet with undertakers over the amending of legislation that excludes a numerous small mortuaries.
Since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, as a health precaution, the Department of Health required that every undertaker be in possession of a Certificate of Competence before collecting a body from the hospital.
However according to Muzi Hlengwa, chairperson of National Funeral Practitioners Association of South Africa, many small undertakers do not own mortuaries and therefore do not the required certificate.
“Mortuaries are expensive so a lot of small undertakers outsource from bigger businesses but now with this law, it ensures that small undertakers get no businesses,” said Hlengwa.
Hlengwa said the regulation was a collusion between hospitals and big businesses to monopolise the industry.
Last week, Hlengwa led a delegation of NAFUPA members across Durban where they visited three private hospitals including Netcare St Augustine and Parklands Hospital and Life Entabeni Hospital.
There were reports of assaults at the hospitals but Hlengwa denied that his members assaulted any of the hospital staff.
Craig Murphy, regional director coastal of Netcare, said five of their staff members were assaulted “without provocation” at their two hospitals.
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“We condemn in the strongest terms these acts of thuggery aimed at healthcare workers who have already sacrificed so much for our communities. We will not tolerate such behaviour and will take all necessary steps to safeguard our patients, our healthcare workers and our community,” he said.
“The South African Police Service (SAPS) were called to the scene and we have reported the incidents of assault to the SAPS and will do everything to assist them in their investigation.”
Popo Maja, spokesperson for the department of Health, said they will be meeting with the associations to discuss the legislation.
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