{
  "id": 8894044,
  "title": "'BODY HIDDEN UNDER COFFIN': Police probe Paarl undertakers' 'alleged irregularities'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/body-hidden-under-coffin-police-probe-paarl-undertakers-alleged",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-21T10:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/the-star/2026-09-21-body-hidden-under-coffin-police-probe-paarl-undertakers-alleged-irregularities/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Paarl, South Africa, a funeral undertaker is under investigation for alleged irregularities involving a decomposing body and human remains. According to local reports, workers from the Drakenstein Municipality discovered a coffin buried in a double-depth grave at Nieuwedrift Cemetery, along with another body and a bag containing intestinal matter. The body found initially was believed to be that of someone who died in April and had not been properly recorded for burial. The coffin was reportedly found with fresh blood stains. The funeral home contacted their legal representative, who stated they had not received authorization to address media inquiries. Drakenstein Municipality confirmed receiving \"potential irregularities\" at the cemetery and promptly informed the South African Police Service (SAPS), which is now conducting a full investigation. The municipality secured the area, ensured health and safety measures, and supported the initial investigators. Provincial police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed that the Paarl police received a complaint of alleged misconduct by an undertaker, and an inquiry was opened for further investigation.",
  "summary": "Drakenstein Municipality has referred alleged irregularities at Nieuwedrift Cemetery in Paarl to SAPS after workers raised concerns about burial paperwork and identification tags.",
  "key_points": [
    "Decomposing body found in Paarl cemetery grave",
    "Human remains and intestinal matter discovered",
    "Undertaker's funeral home under police investigation"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
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        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/police-call-four-alleged-dv-murders-in-one-weekend-barbaric",
        "published": "2026-09-21T08:22:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Police call four alleged DV murders in one weekend ‘barbaric’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/police-call-four-alleged-dv-murders-in-one-weekend-barbaric-8884750",
        "published": "2026-09-21T08:22:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Police arrest prophet over alleged abduction of five girls in Edo",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/police-arrest-prophet-over-alleged-abduction-of-five-girls-in-edo",
        "published": "2026-09-21T10:29:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}