South Africa undertakers record 3-fold increase in cremations – association

The National Funeral Directors’ Association on Monday said undertakers were seeing a three-fold increase in cremations.

On Saturday, a truck was pulled over for overloading corpses at the Somerset West.

The vehicle was in transit to the Eastern Cape, carrying more than 100 bodies scheduled for cremation.

The association’s Lawrence Konyana said this was indicative of mortuaries and crematoriums in the Western Cape facing strain as a result of the COVID-19 third wave.

“Remember, there’s pressure from the families as well as they want the ashes because they want to bury them. It has also become difficult in terms of the burials where one might have to wait a week or two to get a grave.”

-EWN

In other news – Latest on neighbour who beat up DJ Tira’s wife Gugu until she was hospitalised

Cynthia O’Neil, the neighbour to Afrotainment boss and record producer Mthokozisi “DJ Tira” Khathi, is out on warning after allegedly assaulting the popular musician’s wife, Gugu.

O’Neil made a brief appearance at the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where the matter was postponed to September 22. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane confirmed that O’Neil faces a charge of common assault and that the matter “was postponed for further investigations”. Learn More