The remains of the former CEO of Rhineland and Global Oil, who died at age 40, were exhumed on Monday for re-examination after his cause of death was originally listed as Covid-19 related.

Theo Mphosi’s remains were exhumed following a court order granted to his sister, Moditswi Ramokoto by the Limpopo High Court on August 28.

Mphosi was buried in June last year at his original home of Senwabarwana, after suffering a convulsion on his way back to Polokwane from a tombstone unveiling in Mpumalanga earlier.

The cause of his death presented in an autopsy report, as stated in his sister’s application, concluded that his symptoms were consistent with Covid-19 pneumonia symptoms – despite no evidence that he had been diagnosed with the virus.

Ramokoto argued in court papers that, after consulting a different medical doctor, there were serious professional concerns about Mphosi’s death.

A second doctor was of the view that it was questionable that the unexpected death did not prompt authorities to consider the chances of fatal poisoning, which would have required the collection of toxicology samples for analysis.

Ramokoto said with her brother being a highly successful businessman and a father of five, the family has not had closure and they need justice done for his loved ones (if he was poisoned).

According to family spokesperson, Lisolethu Nomgca, they incurred the costs of exhumation.

Mphosi’s remains were re-examined on Tuesday and reburied the following day.