Ndyebo Gqomo
A Nelson Mandela Bay social worker is desperately trying to contact the family of a 62-year-old man who died at the Empilweni Hospital in New Brighton close on three weeks ago.
Ntomboxolo Jantjies told Algoa FM News that when 62-year-old Edward White was brought to the hospital on 15 October from Livingstone Hospital, he was critically ill, and unable to communicate.
She said according to information on the transfer letter from Livingstone Hospital, White was taken their by police the day before, but she said no other information is available.
Jantjies said White died three after being brought to Empileweni, but now, finding his next of kin, “has proven to be an uphill battle.”
She said a social worker from Livingstone Hospital also posted White’s photo on social media in a bid to track down his relatives.
(Pic: Photo of White taken before he passed away)
"The social workers took a photo of this patient and posted it on Facebook and [a] person who responded said he used to see this gentleman at Pier 14 twice and used to give [him] money," she said.
She said they also learned that White has a sister in Newton Park, but there are no further details nor is there any record of him with the SA Social Security Agency.
Meanwhile, Police spokesperson, Sandra Janse Rensburg said when a person dies of natural causes there is “no action required from the side of the SAPS.”
"In terms of the policies for the burial of destitute persons this becomes the responsibility of the government (Environmental Health)," she added.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal spokesperson, Mthubanzi Mniki, said once all efforts to contact the deceased’s next of kin have been exhausted, then the Municipality can be contacted to conduct a pauper’s burial.
"The Municipality will look at all the facts and go through the process of a pauper’s burial. Once all [efforts] have been exhausted then they need approach the Municipality," he added.
