Police probe alleged Paarl burial scandal after ‘body found under coffin’ - IOL

The grave at Nieuwedrift Cemetery in Paarl where the alleged irregularities were discovered.

A funeral undertaker was allegedly caught trying to bury an unrecorded, decomposing body and a bag containing human remains in a double-depth grave at Nieuwedrift Cemetery in Paarl.

Cape Argus sister publication, Daily Voice understands the shocking discovery was made by Drakenstein Municipality workers on Thursday after they noticed discrepancies in the paperwork and identification tags accompanying a coffin.

According to reports circulating about the incident, workers allegedly discovered another body underneath the coffin, as well as a bag containing what was described as human intestines.

The body was reportedly that of a person who died in April and had allegedly not been properly recorded for burial.

The coffin was also reportedly found with fresh blood stains.

A bag reportedly containing what was described as human intestines, allegedly discovered at Nieuwedrift Cemetery.

The funeral parlour, which is known to the publication, referred queries to its legal representative, who indicated that she had “not yet received a mandate to handle media enquiries regarding the matter”.

However, Drakenstein Municipality has not confirmed these specific allegations.

In a response to Daily Voice on Sunday, the municipality confirmed that it was alerted to “potential irregularities” at Nieuwedrift Cemetery on Thursday.

“The Municipality conducted an initial investigation and immediately referred the matter to the South African Police Service (SAPS). SAPS is now conducting a full investigation,” said Eda Barnard, the municipality’s executive director for Safety and Community Services.

Barnard said the municipality had also taken immediate precautionary measures at the cemetery.

“The area was secured, health and safety measures were observed, and municipal staff who first encountered the situation were supported. All actions were carried out in line with established protocols and under the guidance of the SAPS, who now have full oversight of the matter,” Barnard said.

The municipality referred all further enquiries to police.

Provincial police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala said: “This office confirms that Paarl police received a complaint of an alleged misconduct by an undertaker at a Cemetery in Paarl. An inquiry was opened for further investigation.”