Tebogo Msimanga |
South Africa will see a first funeral industry shutdown which will commence at 00h00am on the 14th of September 2020. This means all funeral activities in the country will be non-operational, from Monday until Wednesday.
Unification Task Team (UTT), a formation of different Funeral Associations & Forums said despite their engagement with the government, nothing has been done.
UTT Coordinator, Peter Matlatle said they are appealing to the government to revisit 1949 regulations. He added that the government has not done enough to transform the funeral industry.
“ Monday is going to be a revolutionary day that will be told to the next generations of the funeral industry. Counting the efforts & victories of the current generation that has taken a stand to fight this apartheid inherited legislation that seeks to protect the interest of white monopoly capital and few black elites that have taken a far-right position to defend the status quo at the expense of the black majority.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Health said the national shut down is very concerning as this action may lead to undesired conditions and risks to public health. The department emphasised that all funeral undertakers and mortuary premises must have a valid certificate of competence (COC) issued by the relevant local authority. It said legal action will be taken against owners of premises found to be in contravention.
In a released statement on Sunday, the Department of Health said it is willing to continue talks with the funeral parlour sector to come to an amicable solution.
