A Muslim man who passed away last week may be given a pauper’s burial, if his next–of-kin is not located soon. The 65 year old man, identified as Salie Hendricks according ID documents, died at Somerset Hospital a few days ago. He apparently lived on the street and was then taken to a home in Bonteheuwel. His body is currently at the local mortuary.

Ebrahim Solomon of Al-Muflis burial service says they were contacted by the hospital after the man was identified. They have no address or contact person for the deceased.

“The body was removed from the Somerset hospital and taken to a non-Muslim parlour. We are since then trying to find any of his family members, friends or anyone that knows him. We need to do this so that we can give him a dignified burial if not then the state will bury him as a pauper,” he explained.

After a community notice on air on Wednesday, VOC was contacted by a man, claiming to have befriended the deceased while living on the streets. He could not be of assistance in locating Hendricks family.  Solomon has urged anyone with any information on the deceased to contact the burial service urgently.

“All that we require is that any of the family members or anyone that knew him can give us some sort of information n so that we may give him a dignified burial.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Ebrahim Solomon on 072 827 0989. VOC