A woman from Kwa Vukaphanshi, Makhabeleni, Kranskop is mourning the return of the bones of her husband who is said to have died in Russia last month.
Mr. Sihle Makhaye (44), who is said to have gone with a group of 13 to work in Russia, in December last year, is said to have died in that country on March 28, this year.
This was revealed by his wife, Ms. Sibonile Ndwandwe, when she asked the provincial Transport Minister, Mr. Siboniso Duma for help in the return of the deceased.
Narrating the woman, she said that her husband went with others through the arrangement of a certain agent, who got them plane tickets, and promised them that he would put them to work overseas.
She said she did not have enough information about this trip because her husband was not an open person when discussing his affairs.
“He can only inform me that they are going to Russia, he got a job,” he said.
She said on March 28 this year, she received a phone call informing her that her husband had passed away.
He went on to say that what he found out was that those he went with were finally brought back on the Easter weekend.
“The boy I have been in contact with, has been telling me that the agent is no longer available,” said Ms. Ndwandwe.
He said that what worries him is that he is not working so he does not know what to take and what to combine.
“I want the father of my children to be buried at home according to our tradition, we are Zulus, but I don’t have the strength,” he said.
He said that the ambassadors of that country told him that among the things that can be done is that he be cremated or buried there, and he said that they said that all of this should be at the expense of the family.
“For all that I have nothing, I am asking for help. I want my children to be able to heal, to know that their father left the world, was buried, to see his grave. I don’t want it to end like that because of my lack of strength,” said Ms. Ndwandwe.
Duma tasked the Head of his Department, Mr. Max Mbili, to lead a team that would look into the situation of this family, and he promised that he would visit them as soon as the opportunity arose.
He said he is in contact with government leaders.
“Among them is the Minister of International Relations, Mr. Ronald Lamola, to pave the way forward,” said Duma.
He also ordered his office to act as a liaison between the family and the relevant government agencies.
He consoled the family, wishing them strength during the difficult time they are facing. Those who went to Russia, it is said that they came to be part of the people who fought in the war between Russia and Ukraine. Some also accused the daughter of the MKP leader, Mrs Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, of saying that she was the one who put them in the struggle to go and fight this war. Mrs. Zuma-Sambudla also resigned from Parliament as the investigation into this matter continues.