Photo: Girl lowered into the grave before and after her twin brother's coffin was put in to prevent bad luck or death

An 11-year-old boy who was allegedly killed by his father to please
his stepmother, was buried on Thursday, May 19, in Kagiso, Mogale
City, South Africa. As tradition demands, the boy’s twin sister was
lowered into the grave before and after his coffin was lowered.

Traditional and community leader Sibangani Khanyile said this was
done to prevent bad luck and death from following the living twin.
The boy’s sombre funeral was organised by community members as
the whereabouts of their mother’s family is unknown. The
community came out in large numbers to say their last goodbyes.
The twins are originally from Mpumalanga and were brought to
Kagiso, Mogale City by a friend of their mum after she died.
A neighbour said after the twins arrived in Kagiso they were ill-
treated by their stepmum, who said she couldn’t accept them
because their father had cheated on her with their mum.

At the funeral the boy’s devastated sister was comforted by their
mum’s friend, Nomgqibelo Maphanga, who brought them from
Mpumalanga.

Nomgqibelo expressed her pain and said she had lost the most free-
spirited child she has ever come across. She expressed her
appreciation and relief that the funeral arrangements went
according to plan.

"My prayer now is that his soul rests in peace," she added.
The boy was killed last Saturday and his body was found on
Tuesday. His father has reportedly confessed to killing him. The
father has been charged with murder and is still in police custody.

Source: Daily Sun SA