WATCH | Race against time to exhume ‘body’ buried in prophet’s church

The family of late eNyonini Church president Thami Nkonyane has turned to the courts in a bid to exhume remains believed to be buried on church premises, fearing that further delays could lead to advanced decomposition and complicate efforts to finally lay him to rest with dignity. Speaking exclusively toThe Witness, Nkonyane’s sister, Sibongile Nkonyane, said the family was desperate to uncover the truth behind the church leader’s death and disappearance and was anxious that time was running out. The application follows the discovery of a grave on church grounds that relatives, church members and supporters believe may contain Nkonyane’s remains.

The burial saga has gripped congregants and the wider community after allegations emerged that Nkonyane’s body disappeared shortly before his funeral. Police later intervened during the funeral service after family members obtained an urgent court order halting the burial amid concerns over the handling of the deceased’s remains. According to the family, Nkonyane died about two weeks ago.

They were informed that he had fallen and died, but said they do not believe that explanation, particularly after his body allegedly vanished before the funeral. Sibongile said her brother was married to Dolly Nkonyane, whom she described as his first and only wife. She said Nkonyane had a relationship with Sizeni Makhuzwayo in 2007, but the relationship later ended. Yes, my brother was staying with Makhuzwayo, but that does not give her the right to bury him the way she did.