A man from Vukaphanshi, Kranskop, who is said to have died in Russia 78 days ago, will be laid to rest on Saturday.
The deceased, Mr. Sihle Makhaye (44), who is said to have been with a group that was taken from the country to Russia, with the promise of greener pastures, died there on March 28.
According to the Minister of Transport in KwaZulu-Natal, Mr. Siboniso Duma, the body of the deceased arrived at the Dube Trade Port Cargo Terminal on Sunday following his departure from Russia on Friday.
The Department of Duma started to intervene in this matter after the deceased, Ms. Sibonile Ndwandwe recorded a speech on WhatsApp on April 8, urging her to intervene, to bring back her husband’s body, to be decently buried at home.
Explaining the journey, Duma said that different agencies have worked together to ensure that Makhaye’s body is eventually returned home.
Among the agencies that have used each other are the officials of his department, the President of this country, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, from Russia, Mr. Vladimir Putin in cooperation with his government and the Minister of International Relations, Mr. Ronald Lamola.
“This was not an easy task because of the sanctions in that country as well as the difference in the language spoken in the countries concerned, but the team that was working on the matter was able to do it successfully,” said Duma.
He said what they know at the moment is that when the deceased turned his back on this country, he was promised that he would come and work well in that country but when he arrived there he was told that he had to sign a one-year contract that he would fight in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
“He refused both. We know that many of them want us to explain in detail about the issue of those who were promised a job in Russia, but we will not talk too much as it is still being investigated by the relevant agencies at the national level, including Klebe,” he said.
He said that from now on, the focus is on the weekend, and they are focusing on plans to help the family hide the deceased in a dignified way. He stated that the President of the Combined Nations Funeral Parlous Associations, Mrs. Lungile Shangase, intervened, who recommended Ndaleka Funeral Services to host the funeral.
He also said that Ayanda Msweli also played a major role in bringing closer those who wanted to assist in bringing the body of the deceased back to the country. He said those who still want to continue to contribute, the family asked them to contact him.
The deceased left behind five children between the ages of 9 and 23.