Doctor’s body will be flown home

The remains of a young Eastern Cape student doctor who died in Cuba in April will be brought back to the country on July 2, premier Oscar Mabuyane said.

Mabuyane said the province was working tirelessly with the SANDF and international relations department to ensure Sibusiso Qongqo’s remains were brought home.

“We were trying to better the lives of Sibusiso Qongqo and his family by giving him an opportunity to go to Cuba to study medicine,” he said.

“On June 29, there will be a flight from the Defence Force that will bring home those who are finishing their programmes there.

“It will also bring home the mortal remains of Sibusiso Qongqo, and that flight will come back on July 2.”

He said a team had been sent to convey the message to the Qongqo family yesterday.

“One thing is for sure, his remains are not going to be cremated in Cuba, he is not going to be buried in Cuba.

“His body is well looked after and embalmed, and we really appreciate the government of Cuba for going beyond their cultural beliefs of keeping dead bodies for three days, to allow us to have his body there for such a long time.”

There was an outcry after the province told Qongqo’s family it would be too costly to have his body embalmed in Cuba and flown home.

A letter from health MEC Sindiswa Gomba to the family suggested he be cremated in Cuba instead, and his ashes returned.

“His remains are not going to be cremated in Cuba, he is not going to be buried in Cuba Oscar Mabuyane EC premier

Qongqo, who was expected back in the country in July, spent five years in Cuba studying medicine.

He was sent there on the Nelson Mandela/Fidel Castro Medical Programme.

He died on April 29, according to his family.

Sibusiso’s mother, Nolubabalo Qongqo, who spoke with the Dispatch this week, said she just wanted her son’s body home.

“He will be buried here in SA, not in Cuba. The government took him to that country and there he died.

“We want him to be buried in SA, I want to see his remains,” said the grieving mom.

Health spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo yesterday said the constraints imposed by the ban on international travel, and the lockdown measures due to Covid-19, had hindered efforts.

“The department was informed of Qongqo’s ailment, and the family was counselled about his poor prognosis,” said Kupelo.

He said the family agreed to cremation but later the same day changed their minds and demanded his body be returned for burial at home.

Kupelo said Qongqo’s mother had appealed to Mabuyane to “add his weight” behind efforts to bring her son’s remains home.

“At no stage did they suggest they were dissatisfied with the provincial government, let alone being offended by the MEC’s letter.

“It is not true the government kept the family in the dark.

“There is no stage where officials discriminated against any family in this programme,” said Kupelo.