Husband’s death still a mystery
Almost two years on, a Finsbury family still seeks closure after their loved one's death.
Mary Mosala buried her husband Andries without knowing what had caused his death.
Mosala’s family said since he died over a year ago they have been grieving without any closure.
Andries who used to work for the Parks Department in the Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM) died at the age of 58 while on duty during the State of the Province Address (Sopa) at the Greenhills Sport Stadium in February 2017.
His distraught widow said she and three of their daughters were merely told that Andries had collapsed and died. She received the call three hours after her husband had passed on. His remains had already been taken to the Roodepoort Mortuary.
Two paramedics came and said to me that there was nothing they could do to help him. Soon after that, we were taken to the mortuary where I had to identify his body,” Mary said.
She added it was also very difficult to claim from her insurance policy because the cause of her husband’s death was said to be under investigation. “No one has explained to us what the cause of his death was. It hurts that no one has cared enough to come and explain it to us,” Mary said. She said she even had to quit her job to support their daughters.
She said she recently inquired about the toxicology report and was told that it might take five years to release it due to the backlog at the forensics laboratory.
My husband’s death was such a mystery. He died at a big event where there were many emergencies services and media, but I do not understand why his death was downplayed.”
Tshidiso Thlaripe, RWCLM spokesperson said the municipality acknowledged the incident and that preliminary findings by the paramedics indicated that Andries had suffered a heart attack.
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“To my knowledge, they tried to locate the family. They withheld the details so that the family could be notified first, but I cannot say how long it took to notify them because I do not know,” Thlaripe said.
Mary concluded by saying, “It is very difficult for us to get closure. We just cannot move on with our lives. We are all just waiting for this toxicology report. Maybe it will bring us peace.”
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