Drakenstein Municipality workers discovered a blood-stained coffin and a second, unrecorded body buried beneath it at the Nieuwedrift Cemetery in Paarl on Thursday, 17 September 2026. The discovery was made while workers were preparing a site for a double-depth burial of two brothers, which had been officially allocated to Saaiman Funerals.
After discovering the unauthorised remains, the municipality conducted an initial investigation into potential irregularities at the burial site and subsequently referred the matter to the South African Police Service (SAPS). An inquiry has now been opened to determine how the additional, unrecorded body came to be buried in the same grave.
The Municipality conducted an initial investigation and immediately referred the matter to the South African Police Service (SAPS). SAPS is now conducting a full investigation.
The discovery has raised concerns regarding burial protocols and oversight in the region, as municipal records did not account for the presence of the additional remains. Speaking on the progress of the investigation, provincial police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed the official police response to the incident.
This office confirms that Paarl police received a complaint of an alleged misconduct by an undertaker at a Cemetery in Paarl. An inquiry was opened for further investigation.
According to the municipality, the cemetery area where the discovery was made has been secured to maintain the integrity of the scene. While there have been reports and community speculation regarding the contents found within the grave and the conduct of the undertaker, these details remain subject to the ongoing SAPS investigation. We are currently checking with the Paarl police for updates regarding the identification of the second body and the status of the undertaker’s licence.
The next update on this investigation is expected following further forensic analysis of the scene.