The four Rankeng siblings decided to have their brother’s funeral against their aunt’s wishes. Photo by Zamokuhle Mdluli ~
“OUR monster auntie won’t let us bury our brother with dignity!”
These were the words of the Rankeng siblings from Diepkloof zone 3 in Soweto, who toldDaily Sun that their aunt wouldn’t let them have a funeral for their brother in her yard.
Dikeledi (26), Minah (16), Lerato (31) and Stanley Rankeng (26) said they had been fighting with their aunt, over the issue for the past two months.
“She told us people who come to the service will leave her yard a mess and she doesn’t want that,” said Dikeledi.
She said they had decided to have the funeral today against their aunt’s wishes.
“However, she said if that happened things would get ugly.
“We don’t understand this. What are we supposed to do with our brother’s body if we don’t bury him? Should we throw him away?” asked Dikeledi.
“This house belonged to our grandparents and it is the family home.
“She has no right denying us access.”
Dikeledi claimed their aunt once tried to evict them but the issue went to court and she lost.
Since then, the siblings have been living in back rooms and avoid their aunt.
Dikeledi said her brother, Itumeleng (33) was stabbed to death in Hillbrow two months ago and his body had been lying in the mortuary since then.
Stanley alleged that their aunt chased away mourners who came to pay tribute to Itumeleng several times. The aunt told the SunTeam no funeral would happen in her yard and that was final.
She refused to comment further.
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