Teboho Setena
The operations of Forensic Pathology Services (FPS) in Bloemfontein continue being a concern, despite the efforts by the Free State Department of Health to get the government mortuary fully operational. Owing to non-compliance with workplace health and safety regulation, the facility was closed abruptly in October last year.
The Department of Employment and Labour issued a prohibition notice. The efforts to get facility back operational entail installation of mobile air conditioners in the administration block. “On 1 April 2025, government mortuary management made representation to the Department of Employment and Labour on progress made to address the Occupational Health and Safety violations that led to closure of the mortuary. This resulted in the Department of Employment and Labour acceding to the request to open the mortuary’s administration block, fridge storage facilities, and loading area as of 7 April. Only the dissection area remains as prohibited until further notice,” said Mondli Mvambi, spokesperson for the provincial Department of Health.
According to Mvambi, there is no backlog of autopsies, adding that relations with funeral undertakers are well maintained. Autopsies are being done at Welkom Mortuary, Kroonstad Mortuary and the University of the Free State. He said the forensic pathology services team was working to deal with the 39 autopsies cases, Botshabelo (14), Bloemfontein (19) and Xhariep (6).
Menyatso Mahlatsi, MEC for Health, highlighted the negative impact on the department’s ability during presentation of his budget speech on 25 April.
“The period was marked by immense hardship for both our staff and the families we serve,” he said.
The Health Department operates 11 forensic pathology facilities across the province, with the largest being at the state mortuary in Bloemfontein.
“Under normal conditions, our turnaround time was approximately four days.
“However, due to serious management lapses and a conflation of roles, operations at this critical facility deteriorated.
“The experience taught us a hard but valuable lesson: We cannot allow such a breakdown to happen again.
“Despite these challenges, we remained committed to helping families find closure during difficult times. Equally important is our responsibility to uphold the standards that ensure justice is served with integrity and professionalism,” said Mahlatsi.
He said a great part of the department’s future plan is to avoid a repeat of maintenance being neglected.
“Cleaning and maintenance across all mortuary facilities is now a priority. Repairs to coolers and freezers are actively underway and will be detailed further in our infrastructure update.
“The Bloemfontein mortuary has undergone upgrades, and only one section remains under the prohibition notice. Procurement processes are progressing, and we expect full compliance shortly.
“We are also increasing our fleet of forensic vehicles to improve service reach, and recruitment is underway for forensic medical officers in areas where capacity has been lost,” he said.
According to Mahlatsi, these efforts reflect department resolve to restore and maintain a dignified, efficient forensic pathology service for the people of the Free State.
Stranded workers revealed that they were ignored whenever they spoke about the safety, until the facility was closed following a firm stance by the Department of Labour.
This close has impacted negatively on several funeral parlours ability to render services to their clients as they have wait long for transportation of bodies from the Welkom Mortuary.
