Body of man removed hours after death

Jumpers informal settlement residents in Ekurhuleni are not pleased by how the Cleveland SAPS handled a body that was found on the morning of January 6, Joburg East Express reports.

According to resident Simon Lubisi, the body of a man, known only as Matope, was discovered by another resident when he went to check in on Matope.

READ MORE: Body of a man found dead on Gauteng highway

“I found him lying by his door. It looks like he was trying to get into his shack but failed to do so,” said the resident.

According to residents, the body was reported at 8am, and it was only removed at about 8pm.

“The man had no family in the settlement and he lived by himself. He relied on neighbours because he did not work. We were shocked when the police did not take his body after they declared him dead,” said a resident.

ANC PR Clr Alison Roberts said she was saddened by the passing of Matope.

ANC PR Clr Alison Roberts holds the blankets that covered Simon Lubisi where he was found dead next to his shack.

“He was a kind man who had been living in the settlement for years. I came to know him when I started working in the area and he was always cheerful and willing to help others,” said Roberts.

Cleveland SAPS said the man died of natural causes.

“Because the man died of natural causes the police did not take the body. Police had to open an inquest docket first. The police can remove a body after a case has been opened. Added to that the family was there and was supposed to get a private mortuary to take the body away. The family later said they cannot afford a private mortuary,” said Capt Johan Jordaan, Cleveland Police Station spokesperson.

Jordaan advised residents to communicate information clearly to the police in such incidents.

“If a person dies of natural causes the family is responsible for removing the body. If it is unnatural causes, the police will open an inquest docket and the government mortuary will remove the body. If there is no family the police will also open an inquest docket and remove the body. In this case, the family was there and was supposed to remove the body,” said Jordaan.

https://www.citizen.co.za/news/body-man-found-dead-gauteng-highway/

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