WATCH | Race against time to exhume ‘body’ buried in prophet’s church

The family of late eNyonini Church president Thami Nkonyane has turned to the courts in a bid to exhume remains believed to be buried on church premises, fearing that further delays could lead to advanced decomposition and complicate efforts to finally lay him to rest with dignity.

Speaking exclusively to The Witness, Nkonyane’s sister, Sibongile Nkonyane, said the family was desperate to uncover the truth behind the church leader’s death and disappearance and was anxious that time was running out.

The application follows the discovery of a grave on church grounds that relatives, church members and supporters believe may contain Nkonyane’s remains.

ALSO READ | Nkonyane burial saga deepens as family seeks exhumation order

The burial saga has gripped congregants and the wider community after allegations emerged that Nkonyane’s body disappeared shortly before his funeral.

Police later intervened during the funeral service after family members obtained an urgent court order halting the burial amid concerns over the handling of the deceased’s remains.

According to the family, Nkonyane died about two weeks ago. They were informed that he had fallen and died, but said they do not believe that explanation, particularly after his body allegedly vanished before the funeral.

Sibongile said her brother was married to Dolly Nkonyane, whom she described as his first and only wife.

“Our brother has only one wife known and acknowledged by the family,” she said.

She said Nkonyane had a relationship with Sizeni Makhuzwayo in 2007, but the relationship later ended.

ALSO READ | Icebolethu breaks silence on missing Nkonyane body mystery

Yes, my brother was staying with Makhuzwayo, but that does not give her the right to bury him the way she did.

On Wednesday, the family approached the Madadeni Magistrate’s Court seeking an order to exhume the remains, but they were referred to the Pietermaritzburg High Court.

“Today we went to Madadeni hoping that we would get the interdict, but we did not. We were referred to the Pietermaritzburg High Court,” she said.

She added that the family was increasingly concerned that every day of delay could result in further decomposition of the remains, making it difficult to perform important cultural rituals associated with burial and mourning.

Although Nkonyane had been away from the family for more than 21 years, Sibongile said they still wanted to give him the farewell he deserved.

Meanwhile, eNyonini village induna Jamludi Mhlongo said the community was demanding answers over reports that a person may have been buried on church property.

On Wednesday, I had to calm the community down because people were demanding answers.

“Everyone knows the local cemetery, so they want to know how a person could have been buried there,” said Mhlongo.

“As community leaders, we also want to know who was responsible for burying a person at the church. Those involved must be brought to book.”

Mhlongo said it was difficult to believe that nobody in the community knew about burial activities taking place and called for a full investigation.

Meanwhile, funeral service provider Icebolethu Group issued a statement on Wednesday distancing itself from speculation that Nkonyane’s casket contained bricks instead of his body.

According to the funeral home, Nkonyane’s body was released on Friday and burial arrangements proceeded on Saturday as instructed by relatives.

ALSO READ | Family heads back to court, anxious community demands answers over body found in shallow grave

Responding to the statement, the family said Icebolethu should reveal the identities of the people who claimed Nkonyane’s body, insisting that no family members were present when it was allegedly collected.

The family hopes the exhumation process can proceed today following engagements with the high court.