KEY POINTS
Northern Cape police are urgently seeking public assistance to solve a bizarre and unsettling theft involving the bodies of three individuals, which were illegally removed from a mortuary in Kuruman.
Timeslive reports that the incident occurred in the early hours of March 17, when two suspects assaulted a security guard, tied him up, and stole the bodies of a baby girl and two men from the Motheo Wa Bophelo mortuary.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers, detectives from the provincial serious and violent crimes unit are actively investigating the case. However, no arrests have been made, and the bodies remain missing from the mortuary.
To encourage information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators, as well as the recovery of the stolen corpses, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has announced a reward of R100,000.
“All information will be handled confidentially and can be relayed to Lt-Col Doggy Magugu on 082-469-0578, the Crime Stop number 08600-10111, or alternatively via the MySAPS app,” Ehlers said in a statement.
Unsettling details surrounding the mortuary heist
The theft has raised numerous questions about security practices at mortuaries and the vulnerability of such facilities to criminal activity.
The Motheo Wa Bophelo funeral parlour, which had previously maintained a reputation for reliable service, has since taken measures to enhance security in light of the theft. This includes bolstering physical barriers and upgrading surveillance equipment.
The public has been left shaken by the incident, as it is extremely rare for corpses to be stolen from mortuaries, especially in such a violent manner.
Funeral homes typically take significant precautions to safeguard bodies before burial or cremation, making this crime particularly disturbing.
The baby and two men, whose identities have not been publicly disclosed, were reportedly awaiting family collection when the theft took place. Although the motive behind the theft is unclear, some speculate that it may be linked to illegal body trade, though no evidence has yet substantiated this theory.
In the wake of the theft, Mortuary owners and managers across the Northern Cape have begun implementing stricter security protocols, fearing that the incident could signal an emerging trend of body thefts. Some local funeral parlours have introduced 24-hour monitoring systems, with armed security personnel on standby to deter any further criminal activity.
“We hope that this reward will help bring us closer to finding the individuals responsible for this theft and recovering the stolen bodies,” Ehlers added. “We urge anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward. All tips will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.”
The authorities are also urging residents in Kuruman and surrounding areas to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police. Despite the unusual nature of the crime, law enforcement remains confident that with the help of the public, they will be able to track down the culprits.
