Photo: Girl lowered into the grave before and after her twin brother's coffin was put in to prevent bad luck or death after their dad killed him to please his step wife

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.