News / Regional
Headman squanders burial society funds
02 Mar 2014 at 18:37hrs | Views
A FAMILY from Inyathi in Bubi District almost failed to bury a relative after a headman allegedly squandered burial society funds amounting to about $4 000.
It is reported that villagers front Village Two, who are now divided, had to make contributions to help the family as headman Thomas Hlabangana, who is the chairperson of Makhelwana Burial Society failed to avail funds after a member's death.
Villagers dragged Hlabangana to the police as they sought to recover their money.
"We discovered that the money was missing after the death of one of our members. When we tried to withdraw money we were told that Hlabangana had not deposited any money and there was nothing in our account," Ezekiel Ndiweni, one of the members of the burial society told BMetro.
Makhelwana Burial Society was started in the 90s and has 230 members, who contribute $3 per month.
The society has an arrangement with funeral parlour where it gets burial services in times of bereavement.
Its account was supposed to have $3 801, which Hlabangana allegedly squandered.
Ndiweni said angry villagers and members of the society approached Hlabangana over the issue and he admitted that he converted the money to his own use.
"We agreed that he should not be arrested so that we recover the money and the police agreed. Hlabangana promised to pay back the money in instalments," Ndiweni said.
Indications are that society members and Hlabangana agreed that he would pay $2000 this weekend and the remaining $500 before the end of the month.
Police spokesperson for Matabeleland North province Assistant Inspector Siphiwe Makonese said no docket was opened against Hlabangana.
"We have no such report. It is possible that they made arrangements not to lay charges against the accused so that the matter is settled outside the Courts with the offender making payment arrangements in the presence of the police."
No comment could be obtained from Hlabangana who dropped his phone when contacted.
It is reported that villagers front Village Two, who are now divided, had to make contributions to help the family as headman Thomas Hlabangana, who is the chairperson of Makhelwana Burial Society failed to avail funds after a member's death.
Villagers dragged Hlabangana to the police as they sought to recover their money.
"We discovered that the money was missing after the death of one of our members. When we tried to withdraw money we were told that Hlabangana had not deposited any money and there was nothing in our account," Ezekiel Ndiweni, one of the members of the burial society told BMetro.
Makhelwana Burial Society was started in the 90s and has 230 members, who contribute $3 per month.
The society has an arrangement with funeral parlour where it gets burial services in times of bereavement.
Its account was supposed to have $3 801, which Hlabangana allegedly squandered.
Ndiweni said angry villagers and members of the society approached Hlabangana over the issue and he admitted that he converted the money to his own use.
"We agreed that he should not be arrested so that we recover the money and the police agreed. Hlabangana promised to pay back the money in instalments," Ndiweni said.
Indications are that society members and Hlabangana agreed that he would pay $2000 this weekend and the remaining $500 before the end of the month.
Police spokesperson for Matabeleland North province Assistant Inspector Siphiwe Makonese said no docket was opened against Hlabangana.
"We have no such report. It is possible that they made arrangements not to lay charges against the accused so that the matter is settled outside the Courts with the offender making payment arrangements in the presence of the police."
No comment could be obtained from Hlabangana who dropped his phone when contacted.
Source - BMetro
