Who ate roast chicken at councillor’s funeral?

What R400,000? What roast chicken and rice?

The family of a councillor whose funeral cost the City of Tshwane R600,000 says it never tasted or smelled some of the food items the city is supposed to have spent money on for the funeral.

The metro spent R400,000 on food alone for the funeral of murdered councillor Esther Matumane in September in Winterveld, north of Pretoria.

Matumane’s family is questioning the hefty costs associated with the burial and claims mourners were never served roast chicken, rice, vegetables and salad.

Philemon Matumane, the deceased councillor’s brother, said people had been served pap, stew and gravy.

However, one of the invoices the metro had settled showed there were 2,200 meals at R98 each, which cost the municipality R247,940 including tax.

The meals apparently consisted of pap, rice, roasted chicken, beef stew, vegetables and salad.

The catering company at the funeral was also paid more than R300,000 for providing, among others, sandwiches, soft drinks, juice and bottled water, according to invoices.

“There were no sandwiches served to anyone at my sister’s funeral.

“We know nothing about those sandwiches,” Philemon said.

He also disputed there was a sound system, which invoices to the municipality show cost R7,000.

“Maybe there was another civic funeral held somewhere to celebrate the death of Esther because we did not see or receive some of the things that appear in the invoices,” Philemon said.

“Clearly, there are people who used our sister’s death and funeral to steal from the municipality.”

Another company billed the city R69,000 for groceries delivered at the house.

The family acknowledged groceries were delivered the day before the funeral, but estimated the cost at R25,000 to R30,000.

They also accused the ANC leadership in Tshwane of not visiting the house since Matumane’s funeral despite having promised to do so.

Esther’s elder brother, Wilson, said she had died “while on duty for the ANC” but only the ANC Women’s League had come to show their support.

Esther was shot dead by unknown attackers while responding to a call about a burst water meter.

One her three children, who was with her at the time, was shot in the arm.

“None of her children has received counselling.

“We are now facing outstanding medical bills.

“Where is the ANC that Esther worked so hard for?” Philemon asked.

Maybe there was another civic funeral held somewhere to celebrate the death of Esther because we did not see or receive some of the things that appear in the invoices