More than 500 people attended the funeral of Mlandeni “Mgilija” Nhleko, the leader of the Zulu regiment today.
Crowds of people including the Amabutho gathered at Nhlalangwenya village in uPhongolo, north of KwaZulu-Natal to pay their last respects to Nhleko. He died, aged 72, at the St Benedict Hospital in Nongoma on Monday following a long illness.
In July Nhleko was criticised for leading the regiments to Nkandla before the former president Jacob Zuma handed himself over to the authorities. Nhleko will also be remembered for leading the regiment of late Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu from Nongoma CBD to KwaKhethomthandayo Palace in Nongoma.
His family described him as a man who had a solid foundation and had good interests at heart for those in need.
Speaking at his funeral, one of his daughters-in-law, Mamkhize Nhleko thanked the Zulu royal house and villagers for their support. She said the news of Nhleko's passing came as a shock to the Zulu tribe. Mbongeni Nhleko describe his father as a man who had charisma.
"When we first moved to this village it had no network and electricity, but he made sure that changed. We now have houses and lights and we know he was hoping for more for his village," he said.
Nhleko is survived by his three wife's and six children.