Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu, [email protected]
THE Khumalo family says it has finally found a measure of comfort after learning that Zandile Nothabo Tshuma (nee Khumalo) and her two daughters, Natalie and Nala, will be buried together in Zimbabwe, describing the development as the closure they had long-prayed for following the July 3 tragedy in the United Kingdom.
For weeks, the family had feared the possibility that the two girls, who were born in the United Kingdom, might not be repatriated and buried alongside their mother.
Nothabo and her daughters were killed at their home in Great Denham, Bedfordshire, in the United Kingdom on July 3.
Her husband and the children’s father, Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, is in custody in South Africa, where the United Kingdom is seeking his extradition to face three counts of murder.
A forensic post-mortem examination conducted in the United Kingdom confirmed that the three died from blunt force trauma. The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised three counts of murder against Tshuma, while South African authorities are processing the United Kingdom’s request for his extradition to stand trial.
The tragedy prompted an outpouring of support from Zimbabweans across the world, with a GoFundMe campaign exceeding its £10 000 target to assist with the repatriation and burial of Nothabo and her daughters.
The return of Nothabo and her daughters to Zimbabwe marks the final leg of a painful journey for the Khumalo family. While the criminal case against Tshuma is expected to continue through the courts, the family says burying the three together in their homeland will provide the closure they have long prayed for.
Speaking at the Khumalo family home in Bulawayo’s Gwabalanda suburb yesterday, spokesperson Mr Leroy Leon Khumalo said they were grateful to the authorities in the United Kingdom and the Zimbabwean Embassy for expediting the repatriation process, allowing the three to return home for burial.
“The repatriation papers have been processed successfully and we are grateful for the help we received from the authorities in the United Kingdom and the Zimbabwean Embassy,” he said.
“The bodies of Zandile Nothabo Khumalo and her two daughters, Natalie and Nala, will be arriving in Bulawayo on Sunday. They will leave the United Kingdom on Saturday. The exact times we shall release in due course.”
Mr Khumalo said burial arrangements had been finalised, with the three expected to be buried on Tuesday.
“The bodies will leave Nyaradzo and pass through the family home in Gwabalanda briefly. Then the funeral service will be held at Brethren in Christ Church in Lobengula; thereafter they will be laid to rest at Old Luveve Cemetery. The three will be laid to rest side by side,” he said.
Mr Khumalo said one of the family’s biggest concerns had been whether Natalie and Nala, who were born in the United Kingdom, would be allowed to be buried alongside their mother in Zimbabwe.
“It was our worry as a family that the children were born in the United Kingdom, but the authorities there were very understanding about burying the two children along with their mother in Zimbabwe, rather than separating them.
“Zandile’s mother and father are comforted about this development as this had been their heart’s desire that their grandchildren and daughter be buried in Zimbabwe as a way for them to get closure,” said Mr Khumalo.
Since July 7, family members and members of the community have been gathering daily for evening prayers at the Khumalo family home.
“We have been holding evening prayers at home as a family and some from the community every day from 5PM to 5.30PM. They will continue until the day we lay to rest our beloved three,” he said.
Mr Khumalo expressed gratitude to Zimbabweans at home and abroad for the overwhelming support shown to the family during one of its darkest moments.
“We would like to thank the community both in Zimbabwe, the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa and all over the world for their support during this time of distress. They provided moral and financial support, especially with the repatriation of the three bodies. It’s not easy, but with their support they helped us,” he said.
A GoFundMe campaign organised to assist with repatriation and funeral costs had raised £16 080 by yesterday, surpassing the family’s £10 000 target.
Mr Khumalo said additional support had also come from well-wishers in Zimbabwe, who donated tents, toilets, food and other funeral requirements.
He said he would give an update on the total contributions that helped the Khumalo family.
