Celani Sikhakhane brings you KwaZulu-Natal’s latest news.

Pietermaritzburg – The DA in KwaZulu-Natal has called the backlog of unclaimed bodies in the province a crisis. Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane said 1,197 unclaimed bodies are stuck in KZN’s five largest mortuaries, with some waiting since 2017. Simelane explained during a sitting at the KZN Legislature that the delay is because police haven’t issued pauper statements, which are needed for burials. She said the Department of Health has finished its work, like doing post-mortems and collecting DNA samples, but the police still need to complete their investigations. Police must trace the families of the dead and do DNA tests before issuing the statements. A report in September showed there are 3,186 unclaimed bodies in South Africa, and nearly half of them are in KZN.

Durban – Two men, Mfanafuthi Madlala, 41, and Sifiso Sokhulu, 45, have been sentenced to life in prison for the July 2022 murder of taxi owner Siyabonga Ngcobo. Ngcobo, 37, was driving his taxi in Greenwood Park, Durban when he was shot. His taxi crashed into a yard, and he was found dead at the scene with gunshot wounds. Police quickly arrested both men and found a gun with one of them. Investigators collected strong evidence, which helped convict the men. The court ruled they are not allowed to own guns again.

Ulundi – AmaZulu traditional Prime Minister and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi is moving his department’s offices to Ulundi to honour the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The new offices will be in the old KZN Legislature building, with an official opening set for 5 December. The decision has upset the DA and ANC, who say the move is too expensive.

EThekwini – The eThekwini Municipality is starting a R37-million project to replace pit toilets with proper sanitation systems. The three-year project includes a six-month trial to test new toilets. It will focus on homes with no sewer connections or where toilets are in poor condition. More than 50,000 households in eThekwini need better toilets, and the municipality hopes this project will make a difference.

Pictured above: Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane says police are causing the seven-year delay in pauper burials.

Source: Supplied