POLICE in Lupane, Matabeleland North province, have appealed to the public to assist in identifying and collecting 16 unclaimed bodies at St Luke’s Hospital mortuary.
The remains, which include those of four infants, have reportedly been in the mortuary for several years after the deceased persons were brought dead on different dates without identification particulars.
The appeal highlights a growing challenge faced by public mortuaries in remote districts, where unidentified or unclaimed bodies can remain in storage for years.
Matabeleland North police provincial community relations liaison officer, Inspector Glory Banda, said authorities were seeking public assistance to trace relatives or anyone with information that may help to identify the deceased.
“The remains, which include those of four babies, have been in the mortuary for many years, as they were brought dead on different dates and without identification particulars,” the statement read.
Police urged families whose relatives are missing in Lupane and surrounding areas to contact the district social development office for identification and collection of the remains.
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Authorities said members of the public with relevant information could contact the Lupane district social development officer.
Community leaders have previously called for improved systems to identify deceased persons and trace their next of kin, warning that prolonged storage of unclaimed bodies places pressure on already strained mortuary facilities.