Mourners were left stunned after a funeral took a dramatic turn, stopping at around 4am last Sunday at Mpofu, Mhlangatane.
This happened when the deceased’s senior wife, accompanied by police officers and a sheriff armed with a court order, claimed the body moments before the burial was due to take place.
The incident involved a member of the Themba family who is said to have had two wives.
According to relatives, the first wife’s homestead is at Mayiwane, where the extended family homestead is, while the second wife’s homestead is at Mpofu.
Although the second wife has since passed away, the deceased had reportedly continued living at her homestead until his death.
A family member said disagreements allegedly erupted after the man’s death over where he should be buried.
“We had organised everything for the funeral at the Mpofu homestead. A grave had already been dug, food was prepared and family members, friends and neighbours had attended the night vigil.
“However, everything changed in the early hours of Sunday morning when the senior wife arrived with police officers and a sheriff carrying a court order authorising her to claim the body,” said the family member.
He said the deceased’s extended family originated from Mayiwane, where the family graveyard is situated.
However, relatives at Mpofu wanted him buried in the community graveyard, where his late second wife was allegedly buried.
Neighbours said mourners were left shocked after the body was removed before dawn, forcing the funeral to be cancelled.
A member of the Mpofu Inner Council said the incident came as a shock to the community.
“It is heartbreaking that after all the preparations, including digging the grave, hosting the night vigil and preparing food, the funeral had to be cancelled around 4am just before the burial.
“The family spent a lot of money on the funeral arrangements and mourners even had breakfast before leaving without attending the burial,” he said.
He appealed to the family to resolve their differences so that the deceased could finally be laid to rest.
“We hope the family will find an amicable solution and allow the deceased to rest in peace,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Zwane confirmed the incident.
Zwane said police officers accompanied a sheriff who was executing a court order authorising the stopping of the funeral and the removal of the deceased’s body.
