The KwaMpumuza Royal Family has defended its decision to bury 20-year-old Prince Thembelani KaThubelihle Zondi in secret, saying the move was guided by cultural customs and a desire to restore dignity amid a growing family dispute.
The royal family issued a detailed statement this week following public outcry and legal action from the man’s mother, Bathobile Hlela, who claims her son was buried without her knowledge, despite a court interdict stopping the burial.
On Monday, The Witness reported that both the Hlela and Zondi families had prepared to bury him on Sunday, October 12.
I had agreed with my son’s father that since we were never married and culturally the child was not recognised as a Zondi, Thembelani would be buried at the Hlela homestead.
“We made the arrangements together.
“It was only when we got to the mortuary that he refused to release the body to come to my home and instead took him to the Zondi homestead,” the mother said.
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Following the incident, Hlela urgently approached the Pietermaritzburg High Court for an interdict preventing the Zondi family from proceeding with the burial.
The court ruled in her favour, ordering: “Sibiya Funeral Services is hereby directed to return the remains of the late Thembelani and hold the same at its mortuary until the finalisation of this matter.
“It is declared that the applicant [Hlela] has the right to bury the mortal remains of the late Thembelani.
“Sibiya Funeral Services is hereby directed to release the mortal remains of the late Thembelani to Hlela.”
On Sunday morning, with The Witness present, Hlela, accompanied by police, went to the Zondi homestead to serve the court order.
To her shock, she was informed that Thembelani had been buried the previous day.
Prince Thembelani, who was described as a “caretaker” to Inkosi Khethokuhle Zondi, died on October 4.
He had lived at the KwaMpumuza Royal Palace from the age of three under the care of the late Queen Thatheni Zondi and Inkosi Nsikayezwe Zondi.
Speaking to The Witness, the royal family said that following his death, representatives from the Zondi and Hlela families had initially agreed that the Zondi family would manage the funeral service, while the burial would take place at the Hlela homestead.
However, tensions escalated when a third family, the Memelas, came forward, claiming Prince Thembelani as their descendant through his grandmother.
They alleged that they had been excluded from traditional processes such as ukuhlawulwa (acknowledgement of childbirth outside marriage), despite having previously assisted in the family’s surname transition from Memela to Zondi.
According to royal spokesperson Mzamowenkosi Zondi, efforts were made to mediate the dispute through meetings between all three families and the royal delegation.
“Both parties were encouraged to continue discussions, but the Hlela family left the meeting and did not return,” he said.
That was so disrespectful — and Prince Thembelani didn’t deserve such.
The royal family said that, given the escalating tension and the nature of Thembelani’s death, believed to be suicide, Inkosi Zondi decided to proceed with the burial quietly in accordance with traditional practices.
“In Zulu custom, when a person passes in such a manner, ceremonies take place early in the morning, a process known as ukufihla or ukukhweza,” the statement read.
“This is an age-old practice observed in the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal, where cultural and customary laws are deeply respected.”
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The royal family said it believed the decision was made to preserve peace and protect the dignity of the deceased.
“The situation had become tense, with three families claiming the body. The inkosi acted as custodian to ensure the prince was laid to rest with honour,” said Zondi.
The family expressed appreciation for the support and condolences received, and asked for privacy as they continue to mourn.
“We respectfully request that the public allow Prince Thubelihle KaNsikayezwe Zondi the space to grieve for his beloved son,” they said.
Hlela said she intended to apply for an exhumation order from the high court.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source witness.co.za ’
