Myeni’s widow feels joy after funeral

AFTER laying her husband to rest, the widow of former professional rugby player Lindani Myeni has said that the she had reacted with joy to knowing that he was with God.

Lindsay Myeni posted on social media hours after Saturday’s emotional and moving funeral ceremony. “I trust that God has you with him. I trust that the mamas are right there with you… Today should have been the hardest day of my life, but I feel joy. I feel overwhelmingly grateful. Like wow, this guy changed my entire self. He pushed me to have a stronger, healthier and cleaner and fun life,” she said.

Myeni, 29, was shot by police in a suspected robbery in Hawaii on April 14. His family described his death as yet another case of racial discrimination against black people in the US.

His family believe Myeni, from Esikhaleni near Richards Bay, was targeted, and do not believe the police, who claimed that he was violent and that they had to fight for their lives.

According to Honolulu police, officers had responded to a burglary. On arrival, a scuffle ensued and Myeni was shot four times. Bodycam footage showed officers failed to identify themselves when they approached Myeni. They were heard shouting “police” after shots were fired. Lindsay is suing the Honolulu police for the murder.

Speaking at the funeral, MEC for Transport Community Safety and Liaison Peggy Nkonyeni said Myeni’s death must not be seen as isolated incident of systemic racism, but viewed within the context of the US’s politics of domination and racially motivated exclusions.