Michael Nkalane
TEARS flowed freely on Thursday during the funeral of seven-month-old Inganathi Mnyani – an infant allegedly murdered by her mother’s boyfriend.
Inganathi was allegedly killed during a violent argument between her mother, Andisiwe Mnyani, and her boyfriend, Zukile Nakuphi, on January 18.
Nakuphi has since been charged with murder and remains in custody until his next court appearance.
On Thursday, the baby’s family said their final goodbyes to her at a funeral service at their Philippi home.
Mnyani broke into tears every time she stared at the little white coffin in front of her and had to be consoled by relatives.
The baby’s grandmother, Khululwa Ruga, was also distraught and was assisted by other mourners.
“The only doctor who can cure and heal your deep pain is God. He is the only one who understands how you feel,” pastor Lho Noruwana, of His Glory House of Prayers, told the family, urging them to accept Inganathi’s death.
”Crying will not bring her back. Be grateful that she died while she was still an angel. Her soul was still pure and untainted,” she said.
Family spokesperson Bongani Nunu said he could not believe when he heard Inganathi was no more.
“I thought it was a misunderstanding or maybe there was something wrong with my ears. I just returned from December holiday in the Eastern Cape with her. I was the one who was always carrying her, not knowing I would be burying her now,” he said.
Nunu stressed that the family would let justice run its course. “We are not going to revenge her death. That is what I keep on telling the family.”
Nakuphi was arrested in Gugulethu after being on the run for four days.
He also faces a charge of intimidation after he allegedly threatened to burn down Ruga’s house.