on the official transfer of government forensic mortuaries from the SAPS to the
Department of Health
3 April 2006
Government reviewed the services provided by medico-legal mortuaries or what
was called state mortuaries.
The service was fragmented and unco-ordinated and Cabinet decided to
transfer the medico-legal mortuaries to the Department of Health. This will
ensure separation and autonomy of forensic services and ensure that a
comprehensive service is rendered.
As from April 2006 the forensic mortuaries have been vested under the
authority of provincial departments of Health including personnel, equipment
and other logistical services. The transfer process will usher for the first
time the establishment of the countryâs first comprehensive forensic pathology
service.
A directorate has been established at the national Department to oversee the
service. An assessment of the current service has been conducted and challenges
in capacity to deliver quality service were identified including:
* Shortage of skill,
* Dilapidated infrastructure,
* And inadequate equipment and mortuary vehicles.
An emergency maintenance and upgrading project is in progress including the
purchasing of urgently required equipment and vehicles with a budget of R72
million.
A modernisation plan to improve the quality of the forensic service has been
developed. The plan includes the refurbishment of some of the selected
mortuaries and the building of new ones. More than R1,5 billion has been
allocated for the implementation of the plan over the next three years.
A total of 1349 non-medical vacancies have been advertised in all provinces
and some appointments have already been made while others are in the process.
As part of the skill retention strategy an agreement has been reached with our
South African Police Service (SAPS) counterparts to give the serving police
officers in the mortuaries first preference to apply before posts were
advertised nationally.
The transfer process is very crucial as a first step towards the overhauling
and transforming of our medico-legal service. Medico-legal mortuaries are a
critical component of the criminal justice system. It is crucial that our
forensic investigations meet internationally accepted norms and that these
investigations are performed in an accountable and transparent manner.
In the case of a non-natural death the police will conduct their criminal
investigation at the scene. The forensic officers under the employ of the
Department of Health will do an assessment of the scene of death and collect
all the information that may assist the forensic pathologists in investigating
the cause of death.
The police officers will give permission for forensic officers to take
custody of the body and to remove it to the mortuary. The police will also give
permission for the body to be released for burial.
A memorandum of understanding has already been signed between the Department
of Health, SAPS and the Department of Public Works to ensure a smooth transfer
and clearly define the functions and mandate of all the departments involved. I
would like to thank particularly the SAPS for the support provided during this
transfer process.
Thank you.
Issued by: Ministry for Health
3 April 2006
