Herero woman wins rights over husband's body

OARABILE MOSIKARE
Correspondent | Thursday July 5, 2007 00:00

Upon hearing attorney, Tshekiso Tshekiso, of Kgalemang Sechele and Associates for the applicant, Lenah Matshwenyego and Stephen Raurau for the first respondent, Josephine Kawamanoka, Justice Moses Chinhengo ordered that the remains of the late Joseph Kawamanoka shall be buried at the Herero burial grounds at Mahalapye.

The remains of the late Joseph Kawamanoka hereof should be in the custody of the applicant and may be taken to the house owned by the deceased and the applicant at Mahalapye where the funeral ceremonies may take place.
'The first respondent and the elders on the first respondent's side are entitled to conduct burial ceremonies and practices of the Herero culture at the home owned by the applicant and the late Joseph Kawamanoka.

 
In that regard, except for good and sufficient cause, the applicant shall not disallow the first respondent and the elders on her side to conduct the necessary Herero ceremonies or practices during the entire period of the funeral until the burial of the mortal remains of the late Joseph Kawamanoka,' ordered Justice Chinhengo.
He also ordered that the parties shall consult as to the date of the burial. Failing agreement, the decision of the applicant as to the date shall be final. Also, the first respondent shall pay a third of the applicant's costs.

 
This was after the applicant Matshwenyego, who is the wife of the deceased was engaged in a burial battle with his late husband's relatives. The late Joseph has been in a mortuary for the past three weeks because of the misunderstandings between the parties.