#PalesaMadiba’s remains to be handed to family

Palesa Madiba. File picture: Supplied

Palesa Madiba. File picture: Supplied

Published Jan 24, 2016

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Johannesburg - The Gauteng government is to hand over the long-awaited remains of Palesa Madiba to her family on Sunday morning.

Premier David Makhura and Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu will accompany MEC Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane of Community Safety at the Diepkloof mortuary to hand over Madiba’s remains to her family. The ceremony will take place a few blocks away from her home.

Two weeks ago, DNA results confirmed that the human remains discovered on December 16 in Phiri, Soweto, were those of Madiba.

Now a new date for Madiba’s private funeral will be set.

Last week, The Sunday Independent reported that Madiba’s private funeral – meant to have taken place a few days after her memorial service – was cancelled because her remains were yet to be given to her family. On Friday, Community Safety department spokesman Thapelo Moiloa said: “The delay was a result of the forensic investigation that was carried out to determine whether the remains matched her DNA.”

Asked how far the investigations were, Moiloa said: “Three people have been taken in for questioning. The police are the ones who can shed more light on the investigations.”

Madiba went missing on August 9, 2013. Her remains were discovered in a shallow grave at her friend’s home after an anonymous tip-off.

Madiba’s memorial service was held nearly three weeks ago at the University of Johannesburg, where she was a third-year student.

At the time of her disappearance, the teen was studying towards a BCom degree, majoring in accounting.

Sunday Independent

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