Drama as pastor nearly abandons burial

A PASTOR almost abandoned the burial of a popular Bulawayo tout Lungisani "Godknows" Mayedza due to the rowdy behaviour of his friends that thronged West Park Cemetery yesterday.

Mayedza's relatives apologised profusely to the man of the cloth for the unbecoming behaviour of the visibly drunk touts, drivers and rank marshals, who were drinking alcohol throughout the entire burial process and performing some rituals known only to them.

However, the touts continued to heckle the pastor and crack jokes disrupting proceedings.

The burial was eventually fast-tracked as the touts continued to shout unprintable words.

It was clear from the start of proceedings at the Mayedza home that it was not going to be a sombre process that characterises most burials.

There was no hearse involved in the procession that had dozens of kombis as the coffin containing Mayedza's body was placed on top of a kombi with touts hanging precariously from the vehicle.

The coffin was changed from one kombi to another with the touts singing, dancing, drinking and spilling beer onto the ground as their way of sending-off Mayedza.

There was pandemonium as the procession, mainly consisting of kombis, made its way from Entumbane to the city centre en route to West Park Cemetery.

The rowdy touts blocked traffic as they paraded Mayedza's coffin delaying people making their way to work.

There was a Quantam that played loud music from external speakers that had been fitted for the procession and at one point Mayedza's coffin was placed in the middle of the road.

Mayedza's burial created a transport crisis as kombis that ply the Luveve Road route abandoned their ranks to join the funeral procession.

Despite the pandemonium, Lidia Mayedza, a sister to the deceased tout, said she was overwhelmed by the multitudes that thronged the family home and cemetery to give her brother a rousing send off.

"We are heartbroken that we have lost a member of the family. He was a brother to me and I loved him; he was a jocular person," she said.

A friend of Mayedza, Hebson Ncube, said he was touched by the people who came in their numbers to show support.

"He was my friend and classmate at Entumbane High School; a man of the people," he said.

"I can describe the number of people who attended this burial as half of Barbourfields Stadium when Highlanders is playing against Dynamos.

"I would like to thank all the drivers and touts from 6th Avenue who left their work and came with the commuter kombis to support.'

Another friend Champion Chirwa said they worked together at Amakhosi as touts.

"I am in pain. He was like a brother to me and he never used to fight with anyone, but was very fond of beer," he said.