Own Correspondent
A family from Cross Roads, Mangwe, has found themselves in a heartbreaking situation after mistakenly burying the body of a Lesotho citizen, believing it to be their own family member.
This unfortunate event unfolded two months after the initial burial, culminating last Friday with the proper burial of the actual deceased, Bambanani Ndebele, in the presence of officials from Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Lesotho.
In an emotional interview with CITE, Mike Ndebele, the deceased’s uncle, expressed his sorrow over the mix-up.
“My nephew passed away in South Africa two months ago. Due to a mix-up, we were sent the wrong body, and in good faith, we buried it,” he explained, visibly distressed by the situation.
After the initial burial, the family learned of the tragic error, prompting the Lesotho family to come forward to retrieve their loved one’s remains.
Bambanani reportedly lost his life in South Africa due to a stabbing incident.
“Body viewing took place on both sides, but recognizing someone in a coffin can be quite challenging,” Ndebele remarked, highlighting the difficulties faced in confirming the identity of the deceased.
Some family members had raised doubts about the identity of the body during the viewing, noting that it did not resemble Bambanani, but these concerns were largely overlooked.
“This has caused profound pain for us as a family,” Ndebele added, reflecting on the emotional toll of the mix-up.
Cultural activist Samukele Hadebe emphasized the importance of proper identification during the collection and dressing of bodies.
“In African culture, viewing the deceased is a crucial step to show respect and to say goodbye,” he noted.
Hadebe asserted that the responsibility of identification should not fall solely on the funeral undertakers, stressing the need for families to be actively involved in the process.
The incident has raised concerns about the protocols followed in handling deceased bodies, particularly in cross-border situations.
As the Ndebele family navigates the aftermath of this tragic mix-up, they are left grappling with the emotional and cultural implications of burying a stranger instead of their beloved family member.
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