The mortuary was once again forced to suspend autopsy operations after the department of employment and labour ordered the immediate closure of its operational dissection hall over persistent occupational health and safety violations.

The Public Servants Association (PSA) welcomed the intervention, and said it was necessary to protect employees after repeated warnings about unsafe working conditions at the facility.

The latest closure comes less than two years after the mortuary was first shut down in 2024 following similar occupational health and safety concerns. Although one dissection hall was partially reopened in 2025, workers said critical infrastructure problems were never fully resolved.

“The PSA is extremely disappointed that the mortuary has had to be closed once again,” said Free State PSA organising and marketing officer Lynsie Pelser. “This is not a new problem; these occupational health and safety concerns date back to 2024, and it is unacceptable that they have still not been fully resolved.

“Although the mortuary was partially reopened after some repair work last year, the outstanding maintenance and upgrades were never completed. The union had no choice but to request labour to conduct another inspection, which resulted in the renewed prohibition order.

“Our position remains clear: no employee should be expected to work in an environment that puts their health and safety at risk.”

The prohibition notice was issued on Tuesday, 15 July, for the dissection area; the department immediately activated contingency measures and autopsy services were redirected to Botshabelo mortuary, said Free State health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi.

Workers’ union Nehawu in the Free State said it was not impressed by the temporary closure of the mortuary. It said the mortuary has become a repeat offender. “These are reckless acts that compromise workers’ safety and deny grieving families the dignity of timely burials,” said Nehawu provincial secretary Khauhelo Mnqibisa.  

“The department has allowed corpses to pile up, forcing limited operations in Botshabelo and causing unnecessary delays for families. This is a disgrace; the mortuary is only the tip of the iceberg.”

Mvambi said the department is hopeful the ventilation system will be repaired and operational once the necessary spare parts arrive.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame dg

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