Cape Town - The Cape Town undertaker accused of fraudulently burying six people as paupers rather than cremating them has chosen to remain silent, asserting that he is no longer operating his business.
This was revealed during a telephonic conversation with the Cape Argus on Monday, after the families of his alleged victims claimed Petrus Booysen was still operating his funeral business - St Francis Funeral Home of Kraaifontein, despite being ordered not to do so while out on R1 500 bail.
Booysen claimed he was ill and was not working.
The families said they had relatives who had allegedly seen his vehicle on a public road and at another funeral service at the weekend, which has yet to be verified.
The families said they have since handed over this information to police.
When asked about the allegations and that he was believed to still be operating his business, Booysen said:
“No, my dear, I can say nothing man, this thing is under investigation.
“My lawyer said I must speak nothing.
“No, my dear, I am so sick, I cannot work, how can I?”
The City of Cape Town said in their response to the allegations that his business was still operating: “As indicated previously, this is an active investigation. Please direct enquiries to the police.”
Police spokesperson, FC van Wyk, said they were also not in a position to comment on the latest allegations.
Booysen is expected back in the dock at the Kuils River Magistrate's Court on March 14.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, said according to court documentation, no bail conditions were set and advised the families to report the matter to the police.
“If the family feels and knows that he had violated/ breached bail conditions, they must contact the police to report the matter or they can contact the Investigating Officer of the case and report what they allege he is doing,” he said.
Police have since confiscated all ashes from the families, which will undergo testing.
Anita Momberg, the daughter of Tersia Murray who died last year and was buried a pauper at Welmoed Cemetery in Kuils River, said they were seeking legal advice on the City’s stance not to financially contribute to the exhumation and DNA testing, and was appalled at allegations that Booysen was still operating.
“I am very disappointed that the City is taking so long to provide us with feedback and the police said they are awaiting legal opinion, in terms of the cost they are going to absorb the DNA and exhumation and other testing.
"I said after that we will refer to our legal counsel as it is only an opinion, I feel the undertaker is being aided and abetted by the City. How is he able to still use a crematorium or the graveyard?
Nicolene Cushy, who kept her Fish Hoek father Johannes Francois Nel's ashes for a year only to be informed that he too was in fact buried a pauper instead of being cremated, said they were calling on the court\s to revoke his bail, based on the allegations.
“This same undertaker has been responsible for similar cases of fraud, exploiting grieving families by providing fake ashes and misusing bodies. He was granted bail despite facing multiple accusations. This man must not be allowed to continue operating. The pain my family and I are enduring is unbearable, and we have no peace while he continues to harm others."
Booysen was arrested in January after five families came forward alleging their loved ones were buried as paupers at Welmoed Cemetery, Kuils River, and that they received “fake” ashes which they believed could be non-human, with no cremation certificates.
Cape Argus