DISPUTE OVER TRADITIONAL LEADERSHIP SPARKS CHAOS
Mob prevents family from burying their son
CHAOS erupted in a Limpopo village after a wrangle over traditional leadership led to a violent mob preventing a family from burying their deceased son at the local cemetery.
Instead, Molwantwa Lewele was buried on his family property in Oaks village near Hoedspruit in Limpopo on Saturday.
Stones, bricks, sticks and other heavy objects were used to disturb the burial which was supposed to take place at 7am.
The fight was allegedly caused by a wrangle involving Kgoshigadi Julia Mametja and the family’s refusal to pay a R435 levy for the burial.
The levy was allegedly demanded by Bernard Lewele, who was deposed as induna.
Mametja told Sowetan that she had appointed Reuben Lewele as induna.
But Reuben had appointed Bernard Lewele as the induna on his behalf.
“I had no problem with that until Bernard decided to stand on his own and wanted to be the chief,” Mametja said.
“I visited the area and withdrew his appointment. I appointed another two indunas which are Masete and Sontaga Lewele,” she said.
However, Bernard refused to accept the decision, Mametja said.
Spokesman for the family, Lesley Lewele, said they had no problem paying the R435.
“We even requested him [Bernard] to give us his bank account number so that we can transfer the money.
“But he refused, saying he was afraid to be arrested.
“So we gave him the chance to operate his business. But what we know is that one day the mob will turn against him,” Lewele said.
The family had been attempting to dig the grave since Thursday but the mob came twice to refill it.
Mametja said people were not supposed to be charged to bury someone in the village.
Sowetan ’ s attempts to get hold of Bernard for comment were unsuccessful.