The Eastern Cape government and Buffalo City Metro could be reported to the Public Protector for going ahead with the mass funeral for the 21 youngsters who died at the Enyobeni tavern last month, despite the families having objected.
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The EFF in the Eastern Cape is blaming the province and metro for wasting public resources by forging ahead with a state-funded “fake” funeral where empty coffins were on display, as the families of the deceased did not want the bodies of their loved ones on display.
The families said that they wanted to bury their loved ones separately in small private ceremonies, attended by close friends and families. The EFF argues that the state should have respected the family’s wishes and not gone ahead with a “fake” funeral.
The EFF said it condemned the actions of the provincial government and will be laying a complaint with the Public Protector’s office. The party wants an explanation and an answer on how much was spent on the funeral.
The EFF’s Eastern Cape chairperson, Yazini Tetyana, said: “This is a great wastage of public resources that could have effortlessly been used to provide service delivery to the community of Scenery Park and be used to support the affected families from a wound that can never heal.”
Metro spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya denies that the municipality went against the wishes of the grieving families and said,” The mass funeral was in line with the wishes of the families. They did not want their children’s bodies paraded in public, and we had to respect that. Burials will be done privately.
“We want to thank businesses, political parties and all other stakeholders who gave support to the families during their darkest time of need.”
Ngwenya added, “We commend the community [of] Scenery Park, including the clergy, for their support throughout this period.”
Eastern Cape Treasury spokesperson Phumelele Godongwana refused to comment when asked how much the province had spent on the funeral.
“The funeral was organised between [the] Office of the Premier and Buffalo City Metro Municipality. They should be able to assist you.”
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The victims – 12 girls and nine boys – died on 26 June under mysterious circumstances while partying at the Enyobeni tavern.
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Picture: Cape {town} Etc gallery
