FAMILY SMUGGLES SON’S CORPSE INTO SWAZILAND

MBABANE – Desperate times call for desperate measures.

This holds true for a Kunene family from Emvembili in Pigg’s Peak under the Ntfonjeni constituency, which smuggled their son’s body, Mkholo Kunene, back into the country.
Kunene, together with his close friend and business partner Siza Simelane, died about two weeks ago in pursuit of gold in an abandoned mine known as Agnes Mine in Barberton, South Africa. Simelane is also from Emvembili in Pigg’s Peak.
Kunene’s body  was smuggled through one of the informal crossings near the Matsamo Border Gate and was immediately buried at his home at Emvembili last Friday morning.
It is said that Kunene had no formal documents to let his body into the country and the family was in a haste to bury him because they had another event over the weekend which could not wait.

“The Kunenes’ lobola ceremony over the weekend and his burial was pressing as such events, as per the norm, are never postponed, even death does not defer it,” said a close source.
Zwelithini Madonsela, who is a close relative of the deceased, Kunene confirmed that Kunene did not have documents to enter the country but did not wish to provide further details on the matter.
“We have just buried him and all went according to plan during his funeral,” briefly commented the bereaved Madonsela.
Simelane’s body on the other hand, went through the recognised route in entering the country and was buried on Sunday.

While mining illegally, a mine shaft buried them in the neighbouring country resulting in their death. According to close sources, the two men were regular illegal miners, who are popularly referred to as  the Zama Zamas.
The death of illegal miners is not new in the country; some die through the collapsing of walls and some through the Zama Zama wars.
Just recently, three Swazis, among four illegal minors, died in Barberton, in the very same mines.
Also, two Swazi illegal miners from Pigg’s Peak lost their lives through this hustle.

In 2015, the two men were shot dead after violence broke out between rival gangs of the illegal miners at the mine.
The Ministry of Home Affairs Principal Secretary, Anthony Masilela, condemned this act, stating that it is illegal and shall not be entertained.
He advised people to use border gates using proper and up to date documents when travelling.

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