Elim Hospital´s forensic pathology department buried another 17 unknown people as paupers at the Tshikota Cemetery on Tuesday.

According to the spokesman for Elim Hospital, Mr Avhatakali Marole, they tried searching for the relatives of the unknown people, but after realising that it was impossible to get hold of them, they decided to bury them as paupers. He said many people are not claimed by their relatives, because they have no money to bury them.

According to Marole, the unknown people buried had been lying at the hospital mortuary unclaimed for more than a year. More than 100 unknown people are buried in the Vhembe District every year. According to statistics, most of the unknown people buried are illegal immigrants from the neighbouring Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

The speaker of the Makhado Municipality, Cllr Joan Hoorzuk, said it was the responsibility of government to bury those who did not have any relatives who can bury them, irrespective of where the person is coming from.

“As government we are abiding by the law of the country to be responsible,” she said. Hoorzuk added that if the government did not take responsibility for the unknown deceased, there could be a health hazard. She praised Maeteko Funerals for the good job they were doing for the community.

Pastor Richard Baloyi praised government for the good job they were doing in taking care of the unknown. “God says that love your neighbour like the way you love yourself. One must also feel for other people. Government is doing a good job.”

Maeteko Funeral Undertakers donated the seventeen coffins that were used to bury the unknown people.