National lockdowns in both Zimbabwe and South Africa have reportedly caused difficulties in the repatriation of deceased Zimbabweans from South Africa.
The Herald reports that a change in the regulations on both sides of the Beitbridge border last week resulted in six bodies being returned to Johannesburg after the parlours reportedly failed to meet some of the lockdown regulations.
The publication also reports that, on normal days, an average of 60 bodies is brought into Zimbabwe through the Beitbridge Border Post weekly for burial.
It also reports that under the new regulations, repatriation has proved to be difficult since only the South Africa parlours’ driver is expected to leave the human remains with Zimbabweans parlours at Beitbridge Border Post for onward transportation.
This is said to be a challenge since parlours from the two countries are yet to agree on sharing transportation fees which are around R15 000 from South Africa to Zimbabwe.
The Herald also reports that the chairman of the Inner-City Funeral Directors Association- South Africa (IFDA-SA), Mr Nkosi Kwanike Nare on Monday said that the challenges associated with the repatriation process have resulted in bodies piling up in Johannesburg mortuaries.
More: The Herald