Gabi’s funeral: an empty coffin and a killer on the loose as Qhabanga frames Sibonelo for murder
With all the chaos that takes place at KwaMashu Kingdom Church, it’s understandable if the congregation stops attending the Sunday service or quits the church entirely. There’s constant turmoil. Not that the congregation know yet, but in February alone, pastor Qhabanga (Siyabonga Shibe) killed his wife Gabisile (Baby Cele) after he learnt that she murdered his second wife Nomcebo (Nombulelo Mhlongo) and his son Khehla (Thobani Nzuza) last year. Qhabanga strangled
Gabisile to death and dumped her body at a nearby river.
Soon after, Qhabanga arrives at the church that he’s led for years, covered in mud, and announces to the congregation that Gabisile is dead. Despite there being no corpse, Qhabanga arranges a quick funeral for Gabisile, which infuriates his gangster stepson Sibonelo (Wiseman Mncube) because his mom’s body is missing. “Because Sibonelo is a mama’s boy, he is deeply saddened when he learns that Gabisile has passed away. It’s a heavy blow,” explains Wiseman, whose character tries to stop the funeral as he suspects that Qhabanga is
A troubled Sibonelo (main) vows to avenge his murderous mother Gabisile’s death (inset).
behind Gabi’s death. “There’s definitely tension brewing between Sibonelo and Qhabanga. Their feud worsens on the day of the funeral and that is going to push the two men to drastic measures,” reveals Wiseman.
THE NAIL IN THE COFFIN
Sibonelo goes through the stages of grief: first shock, then it’s denial, but he doesn’t fully accept Gabisile’s death until the day of the funeral. “That is mainly because the story doesn’t add up since there isn’t a body to prove that Gabisile is dead. Sibonelo is confused,” explains Wiseman. With Sibonelo’s emotions all over the place, he attacks his stepfather at the funeral. “Because his mom was about to confess that she murdered Nomcebo and Khehla, Sibonelo believes that Qhabanga uncovered her murderous crimes and resorted to killing
The guests at Gabisile’s body-less funeral pay their last respects.