Housing dispute delays man’s burial
ALEXANDRA - The body of an Alex who died early this month has still not been buried because of a housing dispute.
An Alex man who died a month ago has still not been buried because of a funeral rites dispute.
The deceased, Sikhumbuzo Sikwambane who used to reside in his family home on 16th Avenue died on 2 September. He has been lying in a mortuary because the new owners of his home refuse to let the deceased’s family conduct funeral rites at the house before burial. Sikwambane allegedly sold the house for R14 000 to his former tenant Phelelani Ngcobo.
The house is under municipal bond, but Sikwambane and Ngcoboe exchanged its ownership through a sale agreement contained in a signed affidavit. Sikhwambane’s family and ward committee members held several meetings with the Ngcobo family requesting temporary occupancy of a room at the house to conduct the funeral ritual, but couldn’t reach an agreement with the family. The new owners said they had no space to accommodate the mourners.
Sikwambane is survived by his father Silas Mushaisana (78) who returned to his rural home in Venda after going on pension years ago. Mushaisane said the family was not aware of the sale of the house. After the sale, Sikhwambane also relocated to Venda but returned to Joburg where he had no accommodation until his death.
The matter was also mediated on by Botle Bo Africa Movement, an organisation which promotes African values and principles of neighbourliness.
The Ngcobo family agreed, though reluctantly to let the deceased’s family use part of the house, but a day before the funeral,they are alleged to have reneged on the agreement leading to the postponement of the burial.
Refiloe Khunou of the movement said the case tested the African principles of ubuntu. He urged the Ngobo family to accord the deceased person respect by providing temporary space for at least a night at the house for the family to conduct the funeral rites.
