Simelane-Zulu denies reports of 500 bodies at Phoenix mortuary
The bodies of 35 people at the mortuary in Phoenix, north of Durban, are yet to be identified.
That is according to KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu.
Simelane-Zulu's appealing to families who don't know where their loved ones are to please come forward.
The MEC, who visited the mortuary on Wednesday, has slammed false reports that over 500 bodies have piled up at the facility since the violent unrest last week.
"As of this morning, we had a backlog of about 128 bodies, but these bodies include people who were killed elsewhere, not necessarily related to the unrest.
"It also includes people who passed on in the different hospitals within the vicinity or the catchment area of Phoenix, therefore that 128 is not necessarily a backlog that all of it can be said it comes from the unrest."
Simelane-Zulu said the families of loved ones who have gone missing can make their way to the mortuary directly and don't have to go via the police station.
She says police are also available to transport those who have safety concerns.
"We must indicate that, however, most of the families have been able to come without being stopped, without any incidences. So we are calling on families to come to the facility to identify their loved one."
