The Gauteng Department of Health is asking bereaved families of victims of the Johannesburg inner-city building fire to visit the Gauteng Forensic Pathology Service (FPS) mortuary, in Diepkloof, to identify their loved ones. 

There are currently 74 bodies being processed and these include 40 males, 24 females, and 10 who are undetermined as they were burned beyond recognition. Further, 12 of the deceased were children.

The Diepkloof facility will remain open on Saturday and Sunday from 09:00 to 15:00.

The department has advised families who wish to identify their loved ones to bring with them an original identity document, birth certificate, passport or asylum certificate of the deceased.

“The Gauteng FPS will use the Digital Footprint System to identify unknown bodies who have visible fingerprints. The system uses biometric scanners and third-party access to the databases of the Department of Home Affairs, South African Police Service and National Credit Bureau to identify deceased bodies. Bodies that have been burned beyond recognition and without fingerprints will be identified through DNA process,” said Gauteng Health and Wellness spokesperson Tshepo Shawa.

Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko spent the day visiting the victims of the fire in hospitals across the province.

“As soon as we heard of the incident, we immediately activated our emergency protocols to ensure that we respond as speedily as possible to those that needed medical attention. The Gauteng Emergency Medical Services has been on the ground contributing to emergency and rescue efforts as part of the provincial disaster management response. We have further deployed counselling and other psycho-social support services to complement interventions from the City of Joburg and provincial department of social development,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.

The department has also employed a hotline number to assist families in tracing their loved ones who are either hospitalised or deceased. Families can call the toll-free hotline number on 0800 203 886.