MASS FUNERAL FOR 7 MAIDENS PROPOSED

MAFUTSENI – A mass funeral is proposed for the seven maidens and one indvuna from Vikizijula Royal Kraal.

During a 20-minute break, the families of the deceased Phonjwane maidens deliberated on where to bury their departed relatives.
This was during a meeting of the affected families and the committee assigned to work on the matter held at Mafutseni Police Station yesterday.
Siphofaneni Member of Parliament (MP) Gundwane Gamedze proposed that there be one burial place for all the maidens and indvuna. Without imposing, the MP suggested that such would not only be cost effective for the State but it would also be their pride as a ‘Heroes’ Acre’.

He referred to the deceased as troops of the monarch, who by being buried together, would be appreciated for dying for their King.
“The onus is with you family members and parents; if you agree to the proposal, we can request land from the chiefs to have them buried at a central place as these are His Majesty’s troops,” the MP said.

After inviting comments from the family members, Robert Gamedze, who is the father of deceased Tematimandze from Mkhaya, appreciated the opportunity and noted that this might cause confusion as the families resided in two chiefdoms.

“I am not rejecting this but I would have to consult with the family members as there are many things that are attributed to this,” he said.
Robert noted that there were cultural activities that demanded that one perform ceratin rituals on the tomb of a deceased family member and mass burial may hinder this. He further reminded the other family members and the MP that the State, through SWADE and other entities, had identified a burial area per chiefdom and none had been used thus far.

“Why are we not proposing that they be the first to be buried in one of the plots identified as cemeteries?”

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