A routine visit to lay flowers at her late son’s gravesite turned into a nightmare for traditional healer and media personality Gogo Skhotheni.
Upon arriving at the cemetery, she discovered that the body of her son, Monde Jnr Shange, who passed away just a few months ago, was no longer in its resting place. The grave had been disturbed, and both the coffin and the body were missing.
A Mother’s Agony
Monde, who died on September 2, 2024, after battling severe health complications, was laid to rest with an extravagant and uniquely designed transparent tombstone. The grieving mother frequently visited the site to pay her respects. However, this latest visit left her in shock and devastation.
Authorities have since launched an investigation into the incident, leaving the nation to grapple with unsettling questions: Who could commit such a heinous act, and why?
Rituals or Greed?
Speculation is rife about the motive behind the theft. Many suspect that the act may be linked to ritualistic practices, given Gogo Skhotheni’s high-profile status as a traditional healer. Some fear that the child’s remains could have been stolen for ritual purposes, a practice that, while rare, is not unheard of in South Africa.
Others, however, believe the theft could simply be the work of opportunists aiming to resell the expensive R1 million transparent coffin, which gained significant attention online when it was unveiled.
Cemetery authorities have confirmed that the grave was tampered with during the night, and investigators are examining CCTV footage and other evidence to trace the culprits.
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Public Reaction: Outrage and Sympathy
The news has sparked outrage on social media, with fans and supporters of Gogo Skhotheni expressing their sympathy and disgust at the grave desecration.
“This is heartbreaking. No parent should ever have to endure this kind of pain,” wrote one user.
Another added, “Rituals or greed, it doesn’t matter. This is a new low for humanity.”
Some have also criticized cemetery security, questioning how such a bold and invasive act could go unnoticed.
A Unique Tombstone Now Stolen Too
Monde’s transparent tombstone, which included a hollow space symbolizing an eternal connection between mother and son, became a topic of national discussion earlier this year. While the headstone itself was undisturbed, its distinctiveness likely made it a target for thieves who may have assumed it contained valuables.
Gogo Skhotheni Speaks Out
In an emotional statement, Gogo Skhotheni expressed her devastation:
“I feel like I have lost my son all over again. How could anyone be so heartless? I trusted that he would rest in peace, but now he’s gone again.”
She also called for justice, urging authorities to ensure that those responsible for the theft face the full weight of the law.
The Grief Continues
This incident adds yet another layer to the challenges Gogo Skhotheni has faced since Monde’s passing. Earlier this year, she had to contend with unfounded rumors accusing her of abandoning her son to undergo cosmetic surgery, which she vehemently denied. Now, her grief has been compounded by this shocking violation of her son’s resting place.
Ongoing Investigation
Police spokesperson Captain Thabo Mahlanguconfirmed that an investigation is underway:
“We are treating this as a serious crime. Grave desecration and body theft are violations not only of the law but of human dignity. We urge anyone with information to come forward.”
Security has been heightened at the cemetery as authorities work to ensure no further incidents occur.
A Call for Accountability
As the investigation unfolds, South Africans are calling for greater protection of burial sites and harsher penalties for grave desecration. For Gogo Skhotheni and her family, the hope remains that Monde’s remains will be found and returned to their rightful place of rest.
This shocking event serves as a painful reminder of the fragility of peace, even in death. Rest in Peace, Monde Jnr Shange—may justice prevail, and your memory remain untarnished.