VANDERBIJLPARK – What was supposed to be a peaceful final farewell for a recently deceased man turned into a terrifying war zone on Sunday.

A funeral service descended into chaos at a local cemetery when a group of cultural initiates caused havoc, leaving one man shot, a car in flames, and terrified mourners running for their lives.

According to sources, the violence erupted at around 11:30, shortly after mourners arrived to bury a fellow initiate.

Eyewitnesses claim the trouble began inside the cemetery grounds when two initiates allegedly attempted to rob and attack an elderly man with pangas.

The elderly man, who was legally armed, reportedly fired warning shots before successfully disarming the two attackers. However, the suspects fled back to their group, triggering a violent retaliation.

“They ran back to their group, who then started attacking everyone inside the cemetery before the violence spilled outside,” one source said.

Gunshots rang out across the grounds as mourners scrambled for cover. Vehicles were pelted with stones; a Renault Clio was set alight, while a passing blue Volkswagen Jetta had its windows smashed.

During the violent confrontation, a man was shot in the leg. He was rushed to hospital in a private vehicle.

Thick black smoke billowed into the sky from the burning car, drawing the attention of shocked passing motorists, many of whom stopped to watch the chaos unfold.

Firefighters from the Emfuleni Fire and Rescue service managed to extinguish the blaze, while members of the Public Order Police, Vanderbijlpark SAPS, and private security firms moved in to secure the area.

At the time of publication, the police had not yet commented on the incident.

This is a developing story.