Politicians attend Zinde funeral

FORMER SABC board member Hope Zinde was laid to rest in Garsfontein cemetery in Pretoria yesterday.

Among the mourners who attended the funeral at the Hellenic Community Hall in Hatfield were a number of high profile politicians and celebrities.

Zinde’s body was found in the boot of her car at Pecanwood Estate in Hartbeespoort Dam over a week ago.

Her son, Mark Warona Zinde, 23, was subsequently arrested and has been charged with her murder, as well as drug possession. He did not attend the funeral. He has reportedly been admitted to Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital where he is undergoing observation. The former TV and radio personality’s family was composed as they sat quietly under the marquee, bowing their heads while pastors proceeded with the funeral ceremony.

Minister of Small Business and Development Lindiwe Zulu called on the community not to judge Zinde’s son.

“The family is praying and giving the young man support; if the family says that, who are we to judge?”

Zulu called for communities to stand up and take action against drugs.

“We must remove drugs from our communities, schools, streets and universities.”

She concluded that people who should be targeted were drug suppliers because that was where the root of the problem lay. – ANA