Marite family dispute results in two funerals for one man
Despite an instruction from the Mathibela Traditional Council that the family must have one funeral, the brother of the deceased decided to defy the instruction.
The community and the Mathibela Traditional Council are in shock after two funeral services were held for the same person, the late taxi operator, Brown Hlatshwayo.
Brown’s funeral was held on November 23 at 06:00 at his parents’ home, against the council’s instruction that it should be held at his own house where his wife and children live.
He died in a vehicle accident in Marite on Sunday, November 17.
According to his widow, Angie, her brother-in-law, Renias Hlatshwayo, took advantage of her blindness and lack of support.
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“My husband moved to his parents’ home three months ago without explaining why. When he passed away, there was a dispute between me, Renias and my stepdaughter about the funeral location. I wanted it at Brown’s house, but they disagreed. Despite the traditional council’s instruction that the service should be at Brown’s house, Renias went back on his word and arranged a separate funeral at his parents’ home without informing me. I found out on the morning of the funeral,” she said.
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Angie said mourners waited at her house for two hours before starting the service without a body.
Renias claimed he followed his brother’s wishes. “My brother moved out because his marriage with Angie was over. He wanted his funeral at his parents’ house, where he was staying. Despite the council’s instruction, I honoured his wish. Some friends and family knew and attended the service at our parents’ home. I took his body to his house briefly so his children could say their goodbyes before going to the graveyard,” he said.
Kgoshi Mathupa Mokoena of the Mathibela Traditional Council expressed his disappointment.
“What the Hlatshwayo family did was disgraceful. Two funeral services for one person is unheard of in any culture. My instruction was clear, and it was ignored. This must be addressed to prevent a recurrence,” he said.
The law appears to favour Angie. The Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998, effective from November 15, 2000, gives women in customary marriages the same rights as those in civil marriages, including the right to bury their husbands if still married.
