By Kaya 959 News
The body of Lindani Myeni, a former KwaZulu-Natal rugby player shot and killed in Hawaii two weeks ago, is due to arrive in South Africa by the end of the week.
On Sunday, the KZN Premier announced that Myeni’s body will leave the United States on Tuesday.
“Last week, we sent a delegation led by the Director-General of KZN, Dr Nonhlanhla Mkhize, to the Empangeni home of Linda Myeni, the South African-born former rugby player who was gunned down by police under questionable circumstances in Honolulu, in the island state of Hawaii, in the United States of America,” Sihle Zikalala said.
READ: Questions raised after SA rugby star shot dead by Hawaii police
Premier calls for thorough investigation
He said he was saddened by Myeni’s death and that a local had been caught up in the ongoing spate of attacks by law enforcement authorities, which are apparently targeted at Black people in the United States.
“This objectionable behaviour should be condemned. Investigations must be thoroughly conducted and no stone must be left unturned. Justice must be served in this case,” he said.
“As the provincial government, we are in regular contact with the Myeni family, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation 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, April 23, 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. On Saturday, April 24, the Office of the Premier had another meeting with the family at Richards Bay to discuss progress as well as the way forward,” he said.
Miyeni’s remains will depart on Tuesday
Zikalala said the Myeni family said Myeni’s remains will depart from the US on Tuesday, April 27 and will arrive at the OR Tambo International Airport on Friday, April 30.
More details including confirmed funeral dates and memorial services will be communicated by the family, supported by the provincial government in due course.
We wish to once again appreciate the support that the Department of International Relations through the Consul-General is giving to the Myeni family and to us as government.
Myeni’s wife considers suing police
Kaya 959 previously reported that Myeni was shot by police in Hawaii following an altercation outside a home in Nuuanu. It is alleged that Myeni had walked into a house and had taken his shoes off. In a 911 call, the caller said Myeni was behaving erratically.
Police attended to the call out and approached Myeni, telling him to lie down on the ground. An altercation ensued and Myeni allegedly assaulted an officer. At least four shots were fired and Myeni was rushed to hospital in a critical condition. He passed away shortly thereafter.
Last week, Myeni’s wife Lindsay Myeni, revealed that the family is considering suing police over Myeni’s death.
Lindsay said her number one goal is to continue pressing for police to release all the footage leading up to her husband’s shooting. The Hawaiian Police Department has insisted that Myeni’s shooting was not racially motivated despite insinuations.
