Watch: Palesa Madiba to be laid to rest this Saturday

Parks Tau visits the Madiba family to offer his condolences ahead of the funeral service.

January 7, 2016

Siyabonga Mashele 1 minute read

City of Joburg mayor Parks Tau paying his condolences to the Madiba family.

On Thursday January 6, the City of Joburg mayor Parks Tau visited the Madiba family to offer his words of condolences and commitment to finding closure for the family.

The mayor confirmed that Palesa Madiba’s remains have been identified following the discovery of her skeleton in Phiri last year and she will be laid to rest on Saturday, January 9.

“Preliminary reports show that the bones found in Phiri last year are definitely those of Madiba.

Palesa Madiba's remains were found in a shallow grave in Phiri. — Palesa Madiba’s remains were found in a shallow grave in Phiri.

“The police are now working with the family to release her remains ahead of the funeral on Saturday,” said Tau.

Family spokesperson Thabiso Tsoledi says the law must take its course for them to have closure, but they are happy they can finally lay her to rest.

“We are Africans, and wherever she was kept or buried was not a very comfortable place.

“Now that we have found her, she will be at peace.”

“The funeral service will be held the University of Joburg, Soweto campus, before the family has a private burial service.

“The funeral will commence at 9am and leave for the cemetery at 12am,” said Tsoledi.

Palesa’s remains were discovered in a shallow grave at the backyard of her friend’s home in Phiri, Soweto on December 17, with the help of an anonymous tip off.

The UJ student went missing on August 9, 2013 after she went to visit a friend.