In a bizarre and deeply disturbing incident, police in the Northern Cape have launched a desperate manhunt after three corpses were stolen from a private funeral home in Kuruman. The robbery occurred in the early hours of Monday, March 17, 2025, leaving families of the deceased traumatized and the community in shock.
According to reports, two men and a baby girl were among the stolen bodies from the Motheo wa Bophelo private mortuary. The crime, described by authorities as unprecedented in the region, has sparked outrage and calls for swift action.
Security Guard Assaulted and Tied Up
Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Sergio Kock, confirmed that the robbery took place around 1:30 AM. Two unknown suspects stormed the guard room of the funeral home, where they violently overpowered the on-duty security guard. The attackers assaulted him, tied him up, and blindfolded him before gaining access to the facility and stealing the three corpses.
The police have since opened a case of business robbery and are treating the investigation with high priority. Colonel Kock noted, “This is a highly unusual and disturbing crime for our province. Our team is working tirelessly to find the suspects and bring them to justice.”
Funeral Home Calls for Private Investigators
The shocking nature of the crime has prompted the funeral home to take additional steps. Management at the Kuruman funeral parlour has hired private investigators to assist with the case, hoping to uncover the truth behind the break-in and theft. The involvement of private investigators reflects the growing pressure on authorities to solve the case quickly and ensure the affected families find closure.
Funeral Industry Demands Answers
The Funeral Industry Reform Association has also stepped in, offering support to the grieving families. Johan Rousseau, the association’s chairperson, confirmed they are helping the families draft documents to clarify the incident and demand accountability.
“We are actively working with the police and have provided guidelines to assist their investigation,” Rousseau said. He further revealed that the funeral home itself hired private investigation teams to ensure no stone is left unturned.
Public Urged to Assist in Investigation
As the investigation continues, the police are urging the public to come forward with any information that could help solve the case. Authorities believe that public assistance could be crucial in tracking down the suspects and recovering the stolen bodies.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Lieutenant Colonel Doggy Magugu at 082 469 0578 or call the SAPS Crime Stop line at 08600 10111.
Meanwhile, the affected families remain devastated, praying for the swift recovery of their loved ones’ remains. The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety and security of funeral homes in the region, sparking conversations about stricter regulations and better protection of such sensitive facilities.
Authorities have vowed to pursue all leads as the search intensifies, with the community anxiously waiting for justice to be served.