A shocking discovery of 42 bodies found being transported by the Johannesburg metro department has sent shockwaves through the South.
According to a media release by the City of Johannesburg, 16 adults and 26 still-born bodies were found in a broken-down trailer on the M1 South between the Smith and Carr streets onramp.
JMPD Freeway Unit discovered the 42 bodies transported in open trailer on M1 on Thursday.
The Freeway Unit made the discovery after being notified of a vehicle’s trailer wheel being dislodged.
The driver of the van alleged that he was transporting the bodies from Charlottes Maxeke General Hospital to Olifantsvlei Cemetery in Eldorado Park for burial. JMPD immediately contacted police including the provincial Department of Health to verify the information.
The driver did not have any documentation proving that he was transporting the bodies under a registered mortuary or any hospital documentation.
JMPD has requested the owner of the alleged undertaker to produce these documents.
Police and the Department of Health are said to be investigating the matter.
The city’s stakeholder manager in the office of the MMC for Public Safety Luyanda Longwe said the manner in which the bodies were found transported was neither dignified nor hygienic and showed no respect to the deceased and their families.
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