Buried after almost five months in a mortuary

After laying in a government mortuary for four months, Ellen Nontobeko Thubukwana (44) from Gugulethu/Everest was buried, all thanks to good Samaritans.

It took only one week for the family to get a chance to say their final goodbyes to their daughter after the story was published by the African Reporter on August 22.

The family could not afford to bury Ellen because no-one in the family is employed and the deceased did not have an ID number and the family could not register her with the family’s funeral policy.

The decent funeral that Thubukwana got was made possible by Sinokuthula Enkosini Funeral Parlour and Letsima Social Club from KwaThema in partnership with Lerato Motsepe, a community development worker.

Speaking on behalf of the funeral parlour, Sipho Nkosi said because he has witnessed many families struggling to bury their loved ones and the pain that comes with it, his funeral parlour decided to help arrange a decent funeral for Ellen.

“Businesses have the responsibility to help the struggling families in the areas where they operate,” said Nkosi, adding that his company will continue to help the families that need their help.

Themba Ginidza from the social club said their hearts also found peace knowing that they helped a family to bury their loved one.

“I understand the pain of losing a relative, but having no means to bury her, I can imagine if how hard it is,” said Ginidza.

He said at the moment they are still in negotiations in finding an old age home where they can place the deceased’s mother following the bad living conditions that the pensioner and her son are forced to live in.

“The family is grateful to the people who made it possible for us to bury my sister,” said deceased’s brother, Mpiyakhe Thubukwana.

Springs police spokesman Captain Johannes Ramphora confirmed that Thubukwana was found dead during March with stab wounds on her body.

The deceased’s boyfriend was arrested in connection with her murder.