By Doreen Mokgolo
The body of Bafana Majola, which had been missing for weeks, has been found. He was laid to rest at the Vlakfontein Cemetery near Duduza on Friday.
Majola passed away on 20 June at Pholosong Hospital after being diagnosed with TB. His body was moved from the hospital’s mortuary to a private funeral home by a family member, but the family couldn’t afford the funeral costs.
With help from community donations, the family paid the private undertaker and moved Majola’s body to Phumlani Funeral Services, the company contracted by the City of Ekurhuleni to perform paupers’ funerals.
For three weeks, the family had no idea where the body was, as they received no communication from the undertaker and didn’t know when the funeral would happen.
They feared the body was lost or buried by mistake.
After Scrolla.Africa contacted the undertaker and the City of Ekurhuleni, the undertaker finally reached out to the family.
Majola’s aunt, Emma Khumalo, said they were told a missing document was causing the delay but the document was found after they started making inquiries.
“I was surprised that they failed to let us know about the delay and how the document miraculously turned up when we were taking steps. They organised the funeral for Friday at Vlakfontein Cemetery,” said Khumalo.
The family was not allowed to see the body or have the funeral procession pass by their home, as is customary in African tradition.
However, “I am relieved that he was finally laid to rest,” Khumalo said.
Community leader Simphiwe Maphanga, who helped raise funds for the funeral, called on service providers contracted to the municipality to treat the poor and destitute with more respect.
“A body cannot lie in a mortuary for so long without the undertaker informing the family of the delay. We are told the body was in a bad state, which is why the family couldn’t see it,” said Maphanga.
“Our indigent residents deserve to be treated with dignity too, and should not be neglected for profit.”
Pictured above: Bafana Majola laid to rest.
Source: Doreen Mokgolo
