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Family feud over SA citizen buried in Tsholotsho
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The family of the late Churchill Guduza, former leader of the Mthwakazi Liberation Front, has been plunged into turmoil following disagreements over the burial arrangements of one of their brothers.
Tensions flared after the death of Churchill's elder brother, Aubrey Makhosiwonke Moyo Guduza, who passed away on May 18 in South Africa at the age of 71. The dispute centers around allegations that Churchill unilaterally took charge of repatriating and burying Makhosiwonke's body in Tsholotsho, Zimbabwe, without the consent of his children and other family members.
Some relatives have accused Churchill of "hijacking" the body and even forging official documents, including the death certificate and burial repatriation orders. They contend that Makhosiwonke had renounced his Zimbabwean citizenship prior to his death.
Makhosiwonke's death certificate, issued by South African authorities on May 21, confirms that he was a South African national and died at Baragwanath Hospital from natural causes. Despite this, the elder Guduza brother was buried in Tsholotsho on June 1, sparking deep divisions within the family. Churchill has been accused of using the burial for ritualistic purposes, further fueling mistrust.
Makhosiwonke was the eldest sibling in the Guduza family, with Churchill being the third-born. The youngest brother, Lumumba Guduza, who lives in the United Kingdom and is a lawyer, expressed dismay at how the burial was handled. Speaking to Southern Eye on Sunday, Lumumba revealed that he and other family members boycotted the funeral after the body was allegedly taken to Zimbabwe without their approval.
"He took his body without consulting his children and family," Lumumba said. "None of the family members attended this satanic fake burial. He was never supposed to be buried in Zimbabwe because he is not a Zimbabwean national."
Lumumba also accused Churchill of misusing funds collected for the burial, which was initially planned to take place in South Africa before being moved to Zimbabwe.
"He hasn't told anyone how the money was spent," Lumumba added. "Now he is after every family property in Zimbabwe as if he is the only child of Makathini Guduza."
In response, Churchill acknowledged the family rift but denied the accusations leveled against him.
"In my family there is a rogue element who has manipulated my brother's children to spread lies that my brother was buried in a cheap coffin when they did not see that," Churchill said.
He insisted that Makhosiwonke was given a respectful burial, with an expensive coffin costing R8500.
"My brother was given a decent burial and his coffin was one of the expensive ones," Churchill said. "I do not understand why these children are spreading rubbish. Now they are the ones saying all this; how do I deal with them when it's like this, when their aunties encourage them to spread lies."
The bitter family dispute remains unresolved, with relations reportedly strained as the Guduza siblings grapple with grief and accusations amid differing views on loyalty, heritage, and respect for the deceased.
Tensions flared after the death of Churchill's elder brother, Aubrey Makhosiwonke Moyo Guduza, who passed away on May 18 in South Africa at the age of 71. The dispute centers around allegations that Churchill unilaterally took charge of repatriating and burying Makhosiwonke's body in Tsholotsho, Zimbabwe, without the consent of his children and other family members.
Some relatives have accused Churchill of "hijacking" the body and even forging official documents, including the death certificate and burial repatriation orders. They contend that Makhosiwonke had renounced his Zimbabwean citizenship prior to his death.
Makhosiwonke's death certificate, issued by South African authorities on May 21, confirms that he was a South African national and died at Baragwanath Hospital from natural causes. Despite this, the elder Guduza brother was buried in Tsholotsho on June 1, sparking deep divisions within the family. Churchill has been accused of using the burial for ritualistic purposes, further fueling mistrust.
Makhosiwonke was the eldest sibling in the Guduza family, with Churchill being the third-born. The youngest brother, Lumumba Guduza, who lives in the United Kingdom and is a lawyer, expressed dismay at how the burial was handled. Speaking to Southern Eye on Sunday, Lumumba revealed that he and other family members boycotted the funeral after the body was allegedly taken to Zimbabwe without their approval.
"He took his body without consulting his children and family," Lumumba said. "None of the family members attended this satanic fake burial. He was never supposed to be buried in Zimbabwe because he is not a Zimbabwean national."
"He hasn't told anyone how the money was spent," Lumumba added. "Now he is after every family property in Zimbabwe as if he is the only child of Makathini Guduza."
In response, Churchill acknowledged the family rift but denied the accusations leveled against him.
"In my family there is a rogue element who has manipulated my brother's children to spread lies that my brother was buried in a cheap coffin when they did not see that," Churchill said.
He insisted that Makhosiwonke was given a respectful burial, with an expensive coffin costing R8500.
"My brother was given a decent burial and his coffin was one of the expensive ones," Churchill said. "I do not understand why these children are spreading rubbish. Now they are the ones saying all this; how do I deal with them when it's like this, when their aunties encourage them to spread lies."
The bitter family dispute remains unresolved, with relations reportedly strained as the Guduza siblings grapple with grief and accusations amid differing views on loyalty, heritage, and respect for the deceased.
Source - Zimbabwe Independent
