Loved ones are finally laid to rest

KAMHLUSHWA – The mortal remains of Zodwa Thandiwe Kubayi from Kamhlushwa, and Lindiwe Constance Bhiya from Sihlangu, who died in the Nigerian church building collapse have been handed over to their respective families.

This follows a memorial service which was held at the provincial disaster management centre in Mbombela on Monday morning.

Seventy four bodies of the 85 South Africans who died in Lagos on September 12, were repatriated on Sunday, two months after the incident.

Of the 24 bodies brought to Mpumalanga, two are from the Nkomazi subregion, and have been returned to their families.

The family of Kubayi has wasted no time in laying their loved one to rest, burying her on Wednesday morning.

Speaking at the funeral, the executive mayor of Nkomazi, Cllr Thulisile Khoza, hailed Kubayi as a heroine who had set out to save souls and change the world.

“We lack words to thank the Kubayi family for not being selfish with their daughter, and sharing her with us. She was a heroine who had decided on saving souls of people like you and me. We would like to say to the family, don’t regret, don’t ask yourselves questions, because you don’t have the answers, but only God knows the plans he has. We would like to say to the family that we are with you even in this very difficult time,” Khoza said.

Specialised government pathology vehicles were used to transport the bodies from Mbombela to the Tonga Hospital mortuary where families would be able of collect them.

Kubayi was collected from the hospital on the morning of the funeral by the appointed undertaker, and taken to the family’s homestead before being transported to her final resting place in Kamhlushwa.

At the graveyard, pall-bearers used protective forensic gloves to carry the casket.

This was done to protect them against any foreign diseases which the casket may have come into contact with in Nigeria.

Bhiya will be taken to her final resting place in Sikhwahlane on Saturday.

According to the spokesman for the Nkomazi Local Municipality, Mr Cyril Ripinga, the municipality is hopeful that the return of the bodies will bring closure to the families, and they are assisting the families with the funerals.

“We are glad that after a very long an difficult two months the bodies of our loved ones have been repatriated, and as a municipality and government we will continue to support all four affected families in the Nkomazi subregion. Government will assist all the families in burying their loved ones,” explained Ripinga.

According to Ripinga all the families have been advised to bury their loved ones as soon as possible, and refrain from opening the sealed covers for viewing purposes.

He said, “Because of the state of decomposition and disfigurement as a result of the building’s collapse, most of the remains are not recognizable and families have been advised not to open the sealed covers. They should bury their loved ones as quickly as possible. Families can be assured that the DNA tests conducted have been verified and they will be burying the correct people.”

When contacted by Corridor Gazette for comment, both families requested to be left to mourn and bury their loved ones in peace.