Death in paradise
THE fatal shooting of a former Zululand Rhinos rugby star at the hands of Hawaiian police has left his young wife devastated as she contemplates her future with two young children.
Lindani Myeni (29) was shot dead after a physical altercation with three Honolulu police officers who were called to a neighbourhood quarrel involving Lindani.
The incident occurred at about 8pm local time on Wednesday night (8am Thursday morning SA time).
According to Lindani’s half-sister, Xolile Myede, he had been at a neighbour's house where a quarrel apparently broke out.
The neighbour called the police and, according to a version of events in a televised police statement, when officers arrived at the scene to arrest Lindani, he attacked them.
In the televised statement, Honolulu police chief, Susan Ballard said the three cops suffered serious injury during the arrest attempt, after reportedly being tackled by the powerful Myeni.
Efforts to subdue him using a Taser gun reportedly failed and he was shot. He died later in hospital.
This latest report of an apparently unarmed young man dying at the hands of police is attracting intense media attention, but for the victim’s family it is an issue of devastating personal hurt.
It has also left former team mates, friends, church congregants and those who knew and loved Lindani, stunned and shocked.
‘He called me at 7.52pm and was on his way home. The reports show that the cops had four bullets in him by 8.10pm. It doesn’t add up,’ said Lindani’s wife, Lindsay.
‘He visited a house down the street, took off his shoes and spoke to the owners inside, whom I don’t think he knew.
‘They called the cops who arrived with weapons drawn in response to what they thought was a robbery.
I don’t even know a way forward, with two babies in diapers
‘Then three cops shot him four times. ‘Why were they so afraid of an unarmed man?
‘The cops said he was at the house of a neighbour down the street, but I don’t know why he stopped there.
‘We had spent the day together, sightseeing at Laie at the beach.
‘I have hired an attorney to investigate the incident. This is the third shooting of a young man in Hawaii in the past few months.
‘The police chief resigned this week over all the flack.
‘I’m trying to fly his body home for a proper burial. He’s from the royal family in uBombo and he needs to be buried properly as the Zulu prince he was.’
Lindsay had been campaigning for the Hawaii police to release footage of the incident, which was done over the weekend.
Sorely missed
Lindani is survived by Lindsay and their two children, two-year-old Nsizwa and Lindeni who is only a few months old.
‘I don’t even know a way forward, with two babies in diapers. I am a widow at 29,’ continued the heartbroken Lindsay.
‘I don’t know what country to live in, what schools to put my children in, and they are missing a thousand memories and lessons that only Lindani could teach them.
‘My heart breaks for them even more than me and the rest of the family.
‘We have such a special love, I can’t fathom to let that go.’
The couple met in 2015 while Lindsay was in South Africa on a missionary tour.
They got together and, after months of back-and-forth between the USA and South Africa, and some speed humps along the way, the two tied the knot in 2018, before emigrating to the States.
Lindani was described by relatives as a charismatic and gentle man, with a deep love for his family and a passion for South Africa and Zulu culture.
‘Our condolences go out to Lindsay and her two children; we are saddened by the passing of Lindani,’ said Mark Neuman, elder at Solid Ground Church in Empangeni.
‘We, at Solid Ground Church had the privilege of them being part of our church family for a few years until they moved back to the USA. On our last trip to Denver, Colorado in January 2020, the Myeni family met us at the church where we were attending just to say hi. My last interaction with Lindani was him throwing a snowball at me in the parking lot after we said our goodbyes.
‘Our prayers go out to Lindsay and the kids, and we wish we could be there for them as a family at this time.’
Young rugby star
‘I met Lindani as a youngster in Grade 10 who showed tremendous talent as a promising loose forward. I had the opportunity to work with him throughout his career,’ said eSikhawini coach and Zululand Sub-union president, Junior Makhoba.
‘During my time with him, he represented eSikhawini, Rhinos, Richards Bay Rugby Club, Zululand Sub-union, and was part of the Zululand Rugby Academy.
‘This is a huge loss in the rugby fraternity, as we have not only lost a remarkable player, but also a brother and someone who I regarded as my own son.
‘My heart goes out to Lindsay and the two kiddies, and we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers.
‘He was a spiritual man, a strong and loving husband, and a hands-on father who everyone looked up to.’
He was due to go for his green card interview this week.
Lindani’s family and friends have launched a Go fund me campaign to raise money to repatriate his body for burial.