Public protector launches probe into Phoenix mortuary
The Office of the Public Protector has launched its own investigation into the Phoenix mortuary, north of Durban
It comes after reports surfaced about the conditions staff at the facility are working in.
It's alleged that staff at the facility lack tools to do their work, supplies and protective equipment.
There are allegations that some of their equipment does not work and that the intake of bodies is far more than the fridge capacity.
It's alleged that due to the space issues, corpses have just been left lying on the floors.
READ: Nehawu: Durban in desperate need of new mortuary
In a statement, the public protector’s office says the new own-initiative systemic investigation will focus on new issues not covered in an initial March 2019 investigation which revealed a host of problems in mortuaries across KZN, including Phoenix.
“Recent revelations about the alleged state of affairs at the Phoenix facility are the source of grave concern for the public protector when viewed against the report on the implementation of remedial action received in June 2019,” says spokesperson Oupa Segalwe.
“From then, acting head of the department, Dr Gumede's report gave the impression that the department was seized with the implementation of remedial action. The Public Protector South Africa and the provincial government discussed the matter, they've agreed that teams from both sides will meet in the coming to identify all outstanding work.”
