PIETERMARITZBURG, KWAZULU-NATAL — The Icebolethu Group has issued a formal response regarding the Thami Nkonyane missing body controversy, firmly rejecting claims that its staff placed bricks inside a coffin instead of the late church leader’s remains.
The late reverend, who dedicated over 40 years of his life to the Christian Catholic Apostolic Holy Spirit Church in Zion—widely known as the eNyonini Mission—passed away last month. His burial, which was slated for last Saturday, was abruptly halted by the Pietermaritzburg High Court. The legal intervention occurred after the deceased’s family alleged that the casket meant for the service was filled with bricks rather than his body. In the wake of these claims, law enforcement has launched a fraud investigation. Meanwhile, grieving relatives state they have located what they suspect is a shallow grave on the church grounds and are urgently petitioning for legal authorization to exhume the remains.
Addressing the public for the first time since the incident, a spokesperson for the funeral service provider clarified the company’s involvement, insisting they played absolutely no part in the disappearance of the religious leader. According to the spokesperson, the company was contracted by Nkonyane’s live-in partner of 21 years, who tasked them with organizing a dignified service befitting a prominent church figure.
Detailing the timeline of events, the spokesperson explained that the deceased was transported to the family residence on a Friday. Upon arrival, the family verified the identity of their loved one, and the body was left on the premises overnight with the mutual understanding that the funeral proceedings would take place the next day. However, the company was later served with a letter of intention to halt the burial, which was issued by Nkonyane’s sister and his legal wife.
Despite receiving this notice, the spokesperson noted that the company continued with its preparations because a letter of intent does not carry the legal authority of a court mandate. The company maintained its commitment to its client’s instructions until an official court order was presented, at which point they immediately ceased operations to comply with the law and uphold their brand’s integrity.
The spokesperson also categorically dismissed the allegations that the funeral directors had tampered with the casket. They confirmed that when the coffin was ultimately brought back to their facilities, it remained completely undisturbed under its white linen, and there were no bricks inside. Furthermore, while the company first learned about the suspected shallow grave on the church property through social media platforms, the spokesperson emphasized that they take no stance on those specific claims, maintaining that every standard operational procedure was strictly adhered to.
Attributing the root of the chaotic situation to an ongoing dispute between two different families, the spokesperson expressed a desire for the relatives to resolve their internal conflicts. They reiterated that the business provides its services with excellence to whoever issues the instructions and will continue to cooperate fully with all legal processes as the investigations unfold.
Conversely, the family remains steadfast in their quest to recover the reverend’s remains and ensure justice is served. Relatives argue that the law must take its course to punish those responsible. Highlighting the logistical absurdity of the situation, the family pointed out the physical impossibility of a single woman digging a grave and burying a man of his stature entirely on her own, strongly implying that multiple accomplices were involved in the clandestine burial.