The 42 unknown and unclaimed bodies that were transported by an undertaker who crashed on the M1 bridge on 15 November, were laid to rest in the Eldorado Park cemetery a week later.
Environmental health officials from the City of Johannesburg monitored and inspected the funeral service of the 16 adults and 26 stillborn babies.
The unsettling incident shocked the nation on 15 November.
WATCH: Trailer carrying 42 bodies involved in crash on M1 in Braamfontein
Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety, Michael Sun, said the manner in which the bodies were transported was neither dignified nor hygienic, “and shows no respect for the deceased and their families”.
“We call upon the [Gauteng] Department of Health to conduct a full investigation and also the South African Police to further investigate [the matter] to ensure that there is no foul play,” said Sun.
The incident has also prompted talk of closing gaps in the legislation guiding the handling and burial of the deceased.
The MMC for Health and Social Development, Dr Mpho Phalatse, said the National Health Act 2003 gives local government the responsibility to issue environmental health certificates to all mortuaries and undertakers under their jurisdiction.
They also have an oversight responsibility and should monitor the handling and burial of the deceased at local cemeteries.
Phalatse instructed the directors at City of Joburg Environmental Health to investigate the gaps that might have contributed to the incident.
“The City’s environmental health division will release draft standard operating procedures for stakeholders to engage with, and the process will culminate in final standards of procedure and ultimately a bylaw. This will address gaps in the regulations and strengthen the City’s oversight function,” she said.
Dominic Mahlangu, the MMC’s spokesperson, said this document aims to regulate the movement of human bodies across the City. Stakeholders who are currently looking at the draft version include hospitals and other service providers in the healthcare and burial sector.
