Crackdown on funeral industry following alleged price gouging
Economic Development's been cracking down on price gouging in the funeral industry.
The department says after investigations, some parlours in KZN were forced to refund their customers.
It's received numerous complaints about the rising costs of burials and cremations since the start of Covid-19 pandemic.
MEC Ravi Pillay says funeral parlours have been charging an additional fee to wrap coffins in plastic and for the use of PPEs -- among other things.
Pillay embarked on a consumer rights awareness campaign in Richards Bay, this past weekend.
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He says the department's so far probed 13 complaints against three Durban-based funeral homes.
"Because it was Covid, they are saying they have to put plastics and gloves - but they are putting the price right up.
"But we set an example, in one case they were forced to pay the money fully back and in another case they reduced the price considerably and we were able to take them up."
Pillay's meanwhile encouraged consumers to contact the National Consumer Council or his Department to investigate unfair price hikes.
