he reach of many. At Masasanyana, a funeral home in Hillbrow, Fridays are a hive of activity as those who can afford to transport the corpses of their deceased to Zimbabwe, collect the bodies.
Although officials at the parlour were tight-lipped on the costs, bereaved relatives told CAJ they fork out up to R7 000. The amount can easily shoot up to R10 000 if fuel costs and other necessities for the long trip are added.
Recently bereaved Bonga Ndlovu, said the charges were more affordable than those of omalayitsha. “However, at the end of the day it does not make a great deal of difference. The costs are beyond the reach of most of us,” he added.
Many Zimbabweans here have pooled resources to form burial societies so as not to be caught flat-footed without money should death strike. But still there are reports of some being pauper’s burials after relatives fail to raise sufficient money to transport their corpses north of the Limpopo for burial. – CAJ News
7.12.2006
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Burial costs escalate( 07-12-06)
BY PHILIP EVANS
JOHANNESBURG - In addition to the ever-rising burial costs back home, as well as rapidly diminishing burial space, Zimbabweans in South Africa have to contend with escalating costs of transporting their deceased for burial back home.
Costs have soared to over R10 000, beyond t
JOHANNESBURG - In addition to the ever-rising burial costs back home, as well as rapidly diminishing burial space, Zimbabweans in South Africa have to contend with escalating costs of transporting their deceased for burial back home.
Costs have soared to over R10 000, beyond t