By Kaya 959 News
A memorial service for former KwaZulu-Natal rugby player, Lindani Myeni, will take place in his hometown in Richards Bay on Thursday.
The 29-year-old father of two was shot by police following an altercation outside a home in Honolulu in Hawaii last month.
It is alleged that police responded to a 911 call of a woman reporting that a man, Myeni, was in her home. In footage that was later released by police, it showed officers approaching Myeni who then lunged at officers.
According to the Hawaii Police Department, the officers then fired shots. Myeni was rushed to hospital where he died.
Myeni’s wife calls for justice
However, Myeni’s wife, Lindsay, and their family lawyer, police are not being truthful about the events leading up to her husband’s death.
She has since filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the HPD.
The HPD has since released the 911 tape, which has raised more questions as according to reports, the caller said Myeni was calm and unarmed.
Myeni family spokesperson, Busi Nhleko, said she hoped that his death will make the issue of police brutality around the world remain a relevant subject.
“uLindani is our son, he’s our hero. Young as he is, we are proud today that he is the one who has triggered the whole world to be aware of what is happening in the USA,” she said.
Myeni’s body arrives in SA
Myeni’s body arrived in South Africa at the weekend. His family was received by MECs Nonhlanhla Khoza (Social Development), Hlengiwe Mavimbela (Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation), Ntuthuko Sibiya (Public Works and Human Settlement) and KZN Director-General Dr Nonhlanhla Mkhize.
“The consolation is that Lindani Myeni will be laid to rest where he was born and bred. The good Gods and Ancestors of Africa will and must ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime in the Honolulu Police Department are brought to justice,” said provincial spokesperson Lennox Mabaso.
Speaking during the short media briefing held, MEC Khoza said Myeni’s death has sent shockwaves throughout the world.
“It is a sad indictment on Americans that their country continues to be associated with the senseless murder of black people by their police. The callous murder of our son has, if anything, has diminished the little hope that there will be a sudden change in police attitudes after the globally reported murder of George Floyd and his conviction.
“For our part as the province of KwaZulu-Natal and as South Africans, we will refuse that uMdolomba, uMzukase, u Mnguni wasenhla becomes another statistic in the long list of black men and black women who are murdered by America in what is supposed to be the land of the free,” she said.
“We are hopeful that former US president Barack Obama who hails from Hawaii, where Lindani was killed, will intervene timely for justice to prevail in the Myeni murder matter,” Khoza added.
The HPD has launched their own independent probe into the shooting. Myeni is expected to be laid to rest on Saturday. Details of his funeral will be released closer to the time.
