Emmanuel Sithole’s relatives appeal for financial support to repatriate body
ALEXANDRA - Relatives of the last Manuel Sithole killed in Alex on Saturday in what they presumed was xenophobia related appeal for support to repatriate his body to Mozambique for burial.
Relatives of the late Emmanuel Sithole, who was killed in Alex on 18 April in what they presume was a xenophobi attack, appealed for support to repatriate his body to Mozambique for burial.
Sithole, from Chivavaba in Sofala Province, died in the early hours of the morning from knife and hammer wounds and beatings inflicted by four men.
Three suspects are already behind bars while one is still at large.
Brother-in-law, Jeremiah Sithole, said Emmanuel came to Joburg in 2006 and survived as a street vendor.
“He struggled to make ends meet selling cigarettes and sweets at the corner of Afred Nzo and 1st Avenue. This was his only income to maintain his stay here and to [send] some to his wife, three children and mother back home.”
Jeremiah said despite this, his brother in-law was law abiding and unfortunately died for no reason except for what the relatives believe could have been both xenophobia and crime. This after witnesses heard his attackers say he should go back to Mozambique.
“They stole sweets and cigarettes and then chased him, shouting that he should go back [home] and had to kill him to make it look like other acts of xenophobia where people are chased,” he said.
Jeremiah said family and friends trusted that law enforcement will conduct thorough investigations and the courts will rule on the matter fairly when the three suspects appear this Wednesday.
He said in keeping with custom, the deceased’s mother had asked that his remains be sent home, but they have no resources to do so. They appealed for financial and other material support from anyone willing to do so. They were still in mourning but will explore receiving support from the Mozambique Embassy.
Witnesses who saw Manuel being chased and fall during the attack said it was a horrific sight which should be condemned. They said the attackers, who were arrested at the Madala Hostel, had pursued him for about 100 metres before laying into him.
Sithole is also survived by a brother and two sisters.
Details: Jeremiah Sithole 061 006 6247.
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