Indigent and Pauper Burial Services NEW

Greater Kokstad Municipality, in KwaZulu-Natal, invites proposals from suitably qualified and experienced funeral service providers to render indigent and pauper burial services for a period of 36 months. Under the Municipality's Indigent and Pauper Burial Policy, qualifying indigent households and unclaimed deceased persons are entitled to a dignified basic burial. Services are procured on an as-and-when-required basis, with no guaranteed number of funerals, and are only rendered after written instruction and approval from an authorised municipal official. The contract will be managed by the Community and Social Services Department and must comply with the KwaZulu-Natal Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002, the National Health Act, 2003, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993.

The scope of work includes collecting the deceased within the municipal jurisdiction, safe transport to the mortuary and burial site, and hygienic storage handled in accordance with health regulations. The successful provider must supply one standard adult or child coffin per burial and transport the deceased to the designated cemetery. At the burial site, the provider must supply a coffin lowering device, a gazebo, canopy or funeral tent, chairs for immediate family, and appropriate draping and equipment. Funeral coordination, preparation of the deceased, and liaison with municipal officials are also required. Performance standards are strict: collection within two hours of instruction during working hours and within four hours after hours, burial within five working days of approval, zero justified complaints about handling, and monthly reports submitted by the fifth working day. Services are monitored through inspections and reviews, with penalties of 2.5% or 5% of invoice value for non-performance. Providers must also be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for emergencies.

Minimum requirements include a physical funeral parlour within the Greater Kokstad municipal area or within reasonable travelling distance, a valid certificate of acceptability or health compliance certificate from the District Municipality, company registration documents, a valid tax compliance status, CSD registration, at least three years' experience, and contactable references from municipalities or other organs of state. Evaluation follows a two-stage process. Functionality (80 points) requires a minimum of 50 points and assesses proof of similar experience (40 points) and licensed, roadworthy hearse or funeral vehicles, with ownership or lease documentation and logbooks (40 points). Successful bidders are then scored on an 80/20 preference system, where 80 points are for price and 20 points are for specific goals, including black and youth ownership and promotion of businesses located in Kokstad. Prices must be firm, inclusive of VAT, and valid for 90 days. Bidders must also prove that the company and its directors have no municipal rates or service charges in arrears for more than 90 days. A compulsory briefing takes place on 16 November 2026 at 11:00 at the Adam Kok III Building, 75 Hope Street, Kokstad, and bids close on 7 December 2026 at 12:00.