Authorities have launched a criminal probe following startling allegations that a coffin prepared for the funeral of eNyonini church leader Dr. Thamsanqa Elijah Nkonyane contained construction bricks instead of his body.
The service in Osizweni, Newcastle, came to an abrupt standstill when police enforced a High Court interdict secured by the late pastor’s wife. Since that intervention, the situation has escalated: relatives claim to have located a possible shallow burial site on church grounds and are now petitioning the court for permission to exhume remains.
Sibongile Nkonyane, the pastor’s sister and family spokesperson, provided a detailed account of recent developments. She confirmed that legal steps are being taken to clarify burial arrangements, noting that Dr. Nkonyane had previously expressed his desire to be interred in Newcastle.
Confusion marked the funeral preparations, according to Sibongile Nkonyane. The family said they had not received confirmation of the service location and were not included in the convoy heading to Newcastle. After police paused the proceedings, relatives were told to remain on standby until the ceremony concluded.
Seeking answers, the family later engaged with Icebolethu, the organization handling aspects of the funeral. During this engagement, Sibongile Nkonyane noted the presence of several representatives: an individual who identified himself as Icebolethu’s chairperson, a woman introduced as the organization’s Newcastle-based manager, and a third person overseeing funeral coordination.
When Sibongile Nkonyane questioned the chairperson about her brother’s remains, she received no direct response. Instead, he proposed that the family inspect the casket personally. Accompanied by law enforcement officers under the command of the District Commissioner, the family traveled to Icebolethu’s facilities.
Upon reaching the location, Icebolethu representatives indicated that their escort duties had concluded. However the family members were encouraged to enter and observe the next development. Inside the mortuary, the casket was opened.
Describing the moment, Sibongile Nkonyane stated: “The coffin was opened from the bottom. At the legs were two building bricks.” She asserted that the casket held no human remains. When she followed up by asking where the pastor had been laid to rest, she said no definitive answer was provided.
The family maintains that the coffin presented during funeral arrangements was empty and that the presence of bricks has intensified their anguish and concerns. They are now urging full disclosure and a complete explanation regarding the location and condition of Dr. Nkonyane’s remains.
As the criminal investigation into the disappearance of the eNyonini church leader’s body continues, authorities are working to reconcile conflicting accounts and recover the missing remains.