11 Jun

WATCH | Body of slain e-hailing driver arrives in Eastern Cape ahead of funeral

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  • The body of e-hailing taxi driver Abongile Mafalala arrived at his Eastern Cape home ahead of funeral on Saturday.
  • The 30-year-old was killed in a mob attack in Parkwood, Cape Town more than a week ago.
  • His friends and family drove in a convoy for 11 hours to bury him in his hometown.


The body of slain e-hailing taxi driver Abongile Mafalala arrived at his Ngudle Village home, outside Tsomo in the Eastern Cape for his funeral on Saturday.

He comes from one of the most poverty-stricken areas in the Eastern Cape, and moved to Cape Town at the age of 20 in search of a better life. He lived in Dunoon.

More than a week ago, at the age of 30, he was killed next to his Toyota Avanza in an alleged mob attack in Parkwood after he was accused of kidnapping children in the area. Community members have since apologised for his death and for the false accusations.

Mafalala's Cape Town-based friends, residents and e-hailing drivers made their way to the Dunoon home on Friday afternoon to bid farewell to him. 

His friends and family in Cape Town drove in four minibus taxis and small vehicles for 11 hours while his body was pulled along in a trailer. Some mourners wore political party regalia.

There were more tears as the convoy from Cape Town slowly drove in the village at around 10:00, carefully negotiation potholes, rocks and trenches on the gravel road.

In line with Xhosa custom, his charred remains were not allowed to enter the house or to be viewed. 

A family elder told mourners and well-wishers who gathered outside two rondavels that the body would go straight to the grave after a church service.

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