Open grave, boy’s head missing
Cindi added to say that even at the municipality they were not helped and they were forced to spend the night at the cemetery guarding the open grave.
The Cindi family had to go through a traumatic experience after the grave of their beloved son was found opened.
Fresh wounds were opened again after they discovered his head was missing.
The family alleged that it took them many hours and trips to and from the police and the municipality before they were attended to.
The clearly visible coffin picture of the late Mlungisi Cindi which was taken by a family member at the Kromdraai Cemetery.
Mlungisi Cindi, a former Grade 9 pupil of Witbank High School died on the way to hospital from natural causes and was laid to rest at Kromdraai Cemetery on Saturday, April 9.
Police officials and officials from the forensic pathology lab surrounding the open grave of the late Mlungisi Cindi during their investigations.
A family member who works at the municipality came across the open grave on Monday, April 18 at about 12:00. He immediately contacted other family members who went back to the cemetery; they then went to Vosman Police Station to report the matter.
“The police refused to help us and told us to sort out the problem ourselves as a family. We were forced to open the coffin and found that his head was missing. We had to go back to the police station again, in fact we had to go to the police station three times until at about 18:30 when they came to the grave,” said Mr Sibusiso Cindi, Mlungisi’s uncle.
Cindi added to say that even at the municipality they were not helped and they were forced to spend the night at the cemetery guarding the open grave. They explained that they were made to wait for hours until they forced their way into an office.
The body of the late Mlungisi Cindi is carried to the forensic pathology van for further investigations.
Help only came on Wednesday morning when finally an exhuming order was obtained when the police, municipality officials and forensic officials dug out the grave and the body was taken to aid investigations.
“The family was really traumatised by the whole experience and nobody from the municipality showed any sympathy or support. We were also shocked by the conduct of the police except for the investigating officer. While we are still mourning the passing of our Mlungisi and this will open the wounds again. Zenzele Funeral Home officials were with us throughout the whole ordeal, we would like to thank them for their support,” added Cindi.
Executive mayor of eMalahleni Cllr Lindiwe Ntshalintshali was quoted in one of the radio stations acknowledging that the matter was indeed reported to them. She said the issue of security will be looked at during the ward imbizo (IDP) sessions.
The late Mlungisi Cindi, a Grade 9 former pupil of Witbank High School who was laid to rest at the Kromdraai Cemetery on Saturday, April 9. A family stumbled upon his open grave at the cemetery recently.
She noted that gates were stolen at the cemetery and that security guards were sent to guard the open grave on Tuesday night.
Police are investigating a case of grave violation.
It is not sure what the exact motive for this deed was, but the general feeling amongst the community is that the head was removed for ritual purposes.
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