“We are in fear because we buried a stranger” – outrage as Mangwe family buries wrong body

A family in Mangwe, Matabeleland North, is living in fear of spiritual repercussions after a mix-up by a funeral services provider saw them bury a Lesotho national instead of their son who died in South Africa.

The Ndebele family Matanka Two Village thought they had laid their had laid to rest their son, Bambanani, who had died in South Africa after being hit with a knobkerrie during a party he hosted.

A month later, however, they were told that they had buried the wrong body, as a family in Lesotho that was expecting to bury their relative who had died from gunshot wounds realised that they had got the wrong body.

Edison Ndebele, Bambanani’s uncle, said they were now fearful that the incident might curse them.

“I have never seen anything like this in my life. We are in fear because we buried a stranger thinking he was our family member. We don’t know what burial rituals people from Lesotho follow,” he said.

“What if this mistake curses our family? Bambanani’s mother passed away a few years ago and is also buried here. We performed rituals to inform her of her son’s burial, but it was all in vain.”

Another of Bambanani’s uncles, Anthony Ndebele said all might have gone awry during the identification of the body.

“I asked my sister three times if she was sure the body was Bambanani’s, and each time she affirmed. I don’t know why I felt compelled to ask repeatedly,” he said.

Urban Services Funeral Parlour, responsible for the tag mix-up, promised to cover all expenses as it seeks to rectify its error.

“We understand they may leave South Africa tomorrow (today) with Bambanani’s body for burial. We have no idea what to expect upon their arrival. Those coming from South Africa will guide us on how to proceed,” said Edison Ndebele.