Zikalala: Lindani Myeni’s body will depart US on Tuesday

The 29-year-old former KZN rugby star was shot dead by Hawaii police in an altercation that has once again put the spotlight on the conduct of that country’s police force.

Myeni and his family had relocated to Hawaii just over a year ago.

Zikalala says the South African consul-general in Miami confirmed that Myeni’s remains will return home.

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“As the provincial government, we are in regular contact with the Myeni family, the Department of International Relations and Co-operation as well as the consul-general in the US regarding developments in the case as well as plans to ultimately have Myeni’s mortal remains repatriated to his home country.”

On Friday, 23rd of April 2021, the Consul-General in Miami who is responsible for OHIO State indicated that the American Government has released the mortal remains of Mr Myeni to his wife and they are being stored at a local funeral parlour,” he said.

Zikalala added that the provincial officials had a meeting with the family on Saturday. 

“The body of Mr Myeni will depart US on Tuesday, it will arrive in South Africa OR Tambo International Airport, on Friday. More details including confirmed funeral dates and memorial services will be communicated by the family, supported by the provincial government in due course.”

Zikalala reiterated the call for an investigation into what really happened.

“As a province, we are saddened that one of our own countrymen has been caught up in the ongoing spate of attacks by law enforcement authorities, which are apparently targeted at Black people in the United States.”