By Kaya 959 News
Gauteng police are investigating 42 deaths related to the unrest that unfolded in the province last week.
Acting Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said SAPS is investigating 17 cases of murder and 25 inquests dockets have been opened.
No arrests have been made as yet related to the cases of murder.
“Since the unrest, a total of 234 deaths were reported in KZN. To date and of these reported deaths, the SAPS are investigating 151 cases for murder and 83 inquests dockets have been opened and 15 arrests related to the cases of murder,” she said.
Ntshavheni said law enforcement officials are continuing to restore stability in Gauteng and KZN.
READ: Looted goods will be destroyed
Instigators arrested
Thus far, four alleged instigators have appeared in court.
“Bruce Nimmerhoudt, Sibusiso Mavuso, Clarence Tabane and Ngizwe Mchunu, have been remanded in custody in Gauteng for bail application and the National Prosecuting Authority will comment further on the details of the prosecution,” she said.
Ntshavheni said one person who was arrested has since been released by the court and police are investigating further.
READ: Alleged unrest instigator Ngizwe Mchunu denied bail
Meanwhile, KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has dismissed fake news about the number of bodies kept at the Phoenix Mortuary.
She said contrary to reports, the mortuary – which serves the wider eThekwini area and not just Phoenix – is currently processing the mortal remains of 128 people – and not 300 or 500 as reported on social media.
Simelane said these bodies may not necessarily be linked to the civil unrest from last week.
Speaking from the mortuary earlier this afternoon, the MEC revealed that the facility currently has 35 bodies that have not been identified. She called on families that are missing their loved ones to come to Phoenix MLM, where they will be assisted with identification of bodies.
“We have been hearing there are more than 300 bodies as a result of the unrest. So far, that is not true. It’s 128 bodies that we have received. But also, we cannot necessarily say all of them are as a result of the unrest. We do want to also call on the families who have loved ones that are missing, and have not been able to detect their whereabouts,” Simelane said.
