(1) It is lawful for the Board in any case where it may appear expedient to pay the cost of, and expenses incidental to, the funeral of any person and to recover the amount so paid from the person who under this Act was liable for the maintenance of the deceased person or from any person intermeddling with or taking possession of any property of such person.
(2) If any person made liable under this section to repay the cost of burying any person shall neglect or refuse to do so, then on complaint made by the Secretary to the Board in his or her official name it shall be lawful for any magistrate, if satisfied of the ability of the party to make such repayment, to order such party to refund to the Board any amount expended under this Act upon such burial and in default to deal with such party under the Criminal Code, as though such order were a conviction within the meaning of the said Code.
(Amended by Act 34 of 1999)