‘It was like a stokvel at my husband’s grave’: Hani family walks out of ceremony

The wife of slain South African Communist Party (SACP) leader Chris Hani, Limpho Hani, says she and her family walked out of the wreath-laying ceremony for her husband after the City of Ekurhuleni municipality “overstepped” into the event.

The ceremony was held in Boksburg on Wednesday.

The event, meant to be a simple annual tribute, was postponed after the Hani family withdrew.

The family accused the metro of imposing itself on the programme without prior agreement.

Speaking to eNCA on Wednesday night, Limpho Hani expressed frustration over what she described as an unnecessarily large and poorly coordinated event.

“It was supposed to be a simple wreath-laying ceremony,” she said. 

“If you look at last year’s videos, it was small and dignified. What happened today was completely different.”

She rejected claims that she had been influenced by SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila.

“I’m 78 years old. I cannot be influenced by anybody. I am an independent old woman,” she said. 

“I take decisions on behalf of the Hani family, and nobody will tell me otherwise.”

Hani said the scale of the event was inappropriate.

“It was like a stokvel at my husband’s grave. It’s not proper. I do not accept it,” she said. 

“My husband was a politician, yes, but it’s high time politicians respect families. I own that grave. No mayor, no municipality owns it.”

SACP spokesperson Mbulelo Mandlana confirmed to the media on the sidelines of the ceremony that the party shared the family’s concerns, blaming the municipality for overstepping.

“The initial agreement was for a simple wreath-laying ceremony, not a grand public event,” Mandlana said. 

“There was no agreement involving the municipality.”

He said both the family and the SACP were “shocked” by the extent of the municipality’s involvement upon arrival.

Mandlana added that longstanding issues between the Hani family and the municipality regarding the management of Hani’s legacy remain unresolved.

“Without those matters being addressed, the family has maintained that it would engage primarily with the SACP on such events,” he said.

The SACP has committed to further engagement with the family to ensure future commemorations are agreed upon by all parties.

Meanwhile, acting Ekurhuleni mayor Jongizizwe Dlabathi said the city would work to improve coordination.

“We want to honour Chris Hani with harmony, dignity and proper collaboration with the SACP,” he said.

Dlabathi, who is the ANC Ekurhuleni regional secretary general, confirmed the event was adjourned following discussions with the SACP and apologised for the disruption.

“We sincerely apologise to everyone for what appears to be a mishap,” he said.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL Politics