The owner of a local funeral parlour, who allegedly forced two of her former employees to cut the legs of a corpse so it could fit into a coffin, appeared in the Grahamstown Magistrate's Court on Friday 27 June.
The owner of a local funeral parlour, who allegedly forced two of her former employees to cut the legs of a corpse so it could fit into a coffin, appeared in the Grahamstown Magistrate's Court on Friday 27 June.
Siyakubonga funeral services owner, Ronel Mostert, faces charges of mutilation of a corpse following the shocking incident.
Siphamandla Dyasi and Mzwanele Klaas claim that Mostert allegedly forced them to use a grinder to cut a dead man's legs so his tall body could fit into a coffin – or risk losing their jobs if they disobeyed her. The two men worked at Siyakubonga Funeral Services in 2011, when the alleged incident took place.
Both tasked with the already grim business of handling dead bodies, they told Grocott's Mail they were shocked when their former employer asked them to cut off the legs of a man.
Making it more difficult for them was the fact that Klaas had known the man while he was still alive.
Thamsanqa Tshali's body had been at the premises for about a week when the owner asked Dyasi and Klaas to cut short the legs of the former Southwell resident.
Both men have struggled to find employment after being fired from the funeral company. Dyasi relies on odd jobs to put food on the table, while Klaas struggles to feed his family with the meagre takings he makes as a taxi conductor.
Mostert told Grocott's Mail that she would release her statement once the case has been finalised in court.
