Sidumisile Mabena
Blessing Ticha Karubwa
A VILLAGE burial club in Godlwayo has blossomed into a 720-member powerhouse, but the organisation’s booming success has now attracted suspected fraudsters allegedly trying to milk the scheme through fake death claims.
Godlwayo Family United popularly known as GFU, in Matabeleland south’s Insiza district, has grown from a modest funeral support initiative into one of the area’s fastest-rising community organisations, with ambitions of building its own mortuary, buying body-repatriation vehicles and eventually operating an ambulance service.
However, as the numbers rise, so do the tricks.
GFU chairperson Nation Mhlophe said some people have allegedly tried to sneak non-members into the system before falsely claiming funeral assistance.
“We have had some coming to do fraud and get our money by deception. Some put their brothers in our records and suddenly lie that they have died, yet we do not cover brothers,” said Mhlophe.
“Others give us names of cousins in foreign countries and claim they are spouses or first-born children, so we investigate through our representatives and village leadership.”
The burial society was founded in May 2021 to help families struggling with funeral costs. Back in 2024, leadership had projected that membership would likely remain around 200 people, but demand has since exploded beyond expectations.
The organisation now operates through several WhatsApp groups capped at 200 members each to prevent contribution fatigue among members.
Mhlophe said GFU has tightened verification systems to stop fraudsters from slipping through the cracks.
“Everyone who belongs to GFU is known through our structures on the ground. We have representatives across Godlwayo, including reps from Silatshana and Mbondweni, and village heads help us verify claims,” he said.
“That accountability is what keeps this organisation strong and trusted by the people.”
According to leadership, GFU’s popularity has been fuelled by transparency and quick assistance during bereavements.
“If we need to raise money within three days, people do it immediately because they trust the system. We attend funerals, publicly declare what we have contributed and people see our work with their own eyes,” said Mhlophe.
The organisation has also attracted powerful backing ahead of its December 26 Get-Together event, with businessman Butho Dube of Ini Construction and businessman Mandlenkosi Moyo reportedly pouring in sponsorship worth US$2 000, two cows, mealie meal and full catering support.
GFU first grabbed headlines in 2024 after donating R20 000 towards the burial of late Mkhululi Msindo Ncube, who was shot dead in South Africa.
At the time, the society had just over 200 members and more than 100 people waiting to join.
Now, with membership having more than tripled, leadership says the movement is only getting bigger and tougher to join in future.
Online Reporter