Sandiso Phaliso and Siyavuya Mzantsi
SOME families of eight young women killed in a stampede at a Khayelitsha tavern are considering turning to money lenders because they do not have the funds to bury their loved ones.
Ongeziwe Xekethwane, Bongeka Cekiso, Abulele Nkepu, Vulwethu Mbono, Athi Zokufa, Asisipho Dana, Ongezwa Ndaba and Zimkhitha Malinge died in the June 28 stampede after a gunshot was allegedly fired in the crowded tavern.
Dana’s funeral will be held in Khayelitsha tomorrow, while the other funerals are expected to take place in the Eastern Cape.
Mbono’s mother Nombulelo said she might approach loan sharks to raise about R20 000 for the 17-year-old’s funeral
. She needed this amount of money to cover the undertaker, transport and food, Mbono said. It would cost about R13 200 to transport her daughter’s body and 15 mourners to the Eastern Cape, where the funeral will be held.
“We were not prepared for this (funeral). We have no money.”
Malinge’s uncle, Thamsanqa Mbulawa, said his family were poor:
“People are running up and down, not knowing what to do. Loan sharks are an option, but the last option.”
A Khayelitsha businessman, who wanted to remain anonymous as he wanted to avoid publicity, said he would assist some of the families.
“They have nothing and so I decided to come on board,” he said.
SA National Civic Association zone chairperson Vuyo Ndaba confirmed the businessman would assist. “We have appealed to anyone who can help in any way to assist,” said Ndaba.
Khayelitsha businessman Chris Stali supported the eight families in negotiations with the tavern owner, who initially offered to give R1 250 to each family but later withdrew the offer. Stali said: “There are some local business people who showed some interest, but we are working very hard to raise these funds which are plus, minus R120 000 to just get those people to the Eastern Cape. This is excluding transport for family members. We are not even talking about catering.”
Meanwhile, the operating licence of Osi’s Place has been temporarily suspended pending a tribunal hearing. Osi’s owner, Phumlani Abrahams, did not oppose the suspension application.
The tribunal was set down for four days from August 17.