Police say no case opened over ‘shallow grave body’ claims in Nkonyane mystery
Police said the only matter currently under investigation relates to the alleged disappearance of Nkonyane’s body, not reports of a grave.
KwaZulu-Natal police say no criminal case has been opened regarding claims that the body of eNyonini Church president Thami Nkonyane is buried in a shallow grave.
Provincial police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said the only matter currently under investigation relates to the alleged disappearance of Nkonyane’s body, not reports of a grave.
“At this stage, there is no case reported to police regarding a body allegedly buried in a shallow grave. The matter under investigation relates to the alleged disappearance of Nkonyane’s body,” Netshiunda said.
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The police response comes as Nkonyane’s family returned to the Madadeni Magistrate’s Court on Thursday in a third attempt to secure an exhumation order for a grave discovered on church property.
Their latest application is partly based on an audio recording allegedly featuring a man who claims he was instructed to open the grave to verify whether Nkonyane had been buried there.
In the recording, the man alleges he found a body wrapped in cowhide and dressed in church regalia.
The court previously indicated that an exhumation order could only be considered if credible evidence was presented suggesting Nkonyane’s remains were buried at the site.
Netshiunda said police were awaiting the outcome of the court proceedings and would act in accordance with any order granted.
ALSO READ | WATCH | Nkonyane burial saga deepens as family seeks exhumation order
The family’s legal battle follows claims that a coffin presented at Nkonyane’s funeral contained bricks instead of his body.
The mystery surrounding the whereabouts of Nkonyane’s remains has drawn national attention, with television crews and broadcasters gathered outside the church.
