Lindani Myeni’s Remains Arrive in South Africa


By Oliver Ngwenya    01-May-2021 19:00 UTC+02:00

In happier times, Lindsay with Lindani before he was shot and killed by Honolulu Police. Photo: News24

A short prayer service was held at the O. R. Tambo Airport on Saturday as a number of government officials and family members welcomed the body of twenty-nine-year-old Lindani Myeni, who was shot and killed by Honolulu police earlier last month. The former rugby player, who had settled with his family in Hawaii, was shot several times following a 911 call that was made by a woman who complained that somebody had entered her home.

The body of the father of two arrived on Saturday morning at the airport and a short prayer service was held before the entourage proceeded for Myeni’s home village of Esikhaleni near Richards Bay in KwaZulu Natal, where the gentle giant is expected to be laid to rest next week.

Speaking shortly after the prayer service, the MEC for Social Development, Ms. Nonhlanhla Khoza took a swipe at the government of the United States of America for becoming a slaughterhouse for black people. She added that America should hang its head in shame for this, adding that the hostility that had been displayed by the Hawaiian police had revived old wounds. Also speaking at the airport, Pastor B Nhleko thanked Myeni’s wife Lindsay, who had worked hard to ensure that the remains of her husband were repatriated to his home. She also shared nostalgic moments she had shared with the former rugby player who was fond of showing off his rugby skills to her. Nhleko added that the mother of two had indicated that she was planning on staying in South Africa for long as she had brought with her a lot of her luggage. Lindsay was planning that the couple’s son, Ntsizwa, would attend school in South Africa.

Meanwhile, there has been widespread condemnation of the former rugby star’s shooting following the release by the Honolulu police of the emergency call that was made to their offices by a woman on the fateful night. In the clip, the woman is heard calmly explaining that there is a man that is trying to enter her home. She adds that the man is unarmed. However, as the call progressed, the woman’s anxiety levels seemed to be also increasing. She adds that he (Myeni) says he is from South Africa but she does not know him. The operator then tells her that the police are on the way. The arrival of the police was to lead to Myeni’s fatal shooting.


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