Who in South Africa stole Jonathan Moyo daughter's heart?

THE family of higher education minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo, have launched a scathing attack on the Western Cape provincial government after their late daughter's heart was removed without them being informed.

They apparently only got wind of the removal from press reports.

Zanele Moyo, 20, a second year political and international relations student at the University of Cape Town (UCT), was found dead in her city flat last month.

She was buried without her heart after a post-mortem - conducted in Cape Town - and which the family claims they had no prior knowledge of. They have instructed a Harare law firm, Hussein Ranchhod & Co, to voice their disquiet at the manner in which their daughter's body was treated. They have also lodged a formal complaint with the South African government.

The family only became aware of the removal of the woman's heart - which they label an unlawful, barbaric and insensitive act - "after a second post-mortem was conducted in Harare."

The statement from the law firm reads: "The family had an opportunity to speak to the forensic pathologist on the day the post-mortem was carried out and were informed that tissue and blood samples had been obtained from the deceased. No mention of the removal of the heart was made by the pathologist, nor was the family's consent sought.

"A written complaint was sent to the Western Cape Health Department about this and other tardy aspects (of) the post-mortem and written confirmation of our complaint was received. The forensic department did not make the revelations to us or the family that they indeed had removed the heart and that this was legally in order. This painful fact has only been revealed by the forensic department to the press.

"The Western Cape Health Department has not, either in writing or through its communication to the press, indicated for what purpose they retained the heart. Had it not been for a second post-mortem requested by the family, this would not have come to light..... We do not find any support in the law for the suggestion that the .... removal of body parts without reference to the family is standard practice."

The Moyo family said from comments attributed to the spokesman of the Ministry of Police, it appeared that the information relayed to Nathi Nhleko was misleading and inaccurate.

"At no time since the date of the autopsy has the SAPS contacted either ourselves of the family to update them on the investigation. At no time has the SAPS advised as indicated in the statement the procedure the family should adopt in dealing with the issue."

The Moyo family says they were advised to file a formal complaint with the police head office only on November 2. Their daughter died on October 17.

"We have not had the standard courtesy of an acknowledgement of our letter, nor a response to our complaint," the law firm states.

"The family's anguish and grief (have) been compounded by the indelicate and indifferent response that have been ventilated through the press reports.

"All they seek, as relatives of a deceased, are answers so that they can bring closure to this dark episode in their lives."