Everson Luhanga
Furious Zimbabweans prevented David Hamadziripi, the country’s ambassador to South Africa, from addressing a memorial service for Elvis Nyathi, a victim of mob justice in Diepsloot township a week ago.
Hamadziripi was barred from speaking at Hillbrow theatre by an angry mob gathered for the service before the body was repatriated to Bulawayo for burial.
Zimbabweans in South Africa are angry with Harare because they say they were forced to flee to become political asylum seekers and economic refugees, due to the country’s protracted political and economic problems.
The family of Elvis Nyathi said they were happy with the support they had received from both Zimbabweans and South Africans.
Speaking to Scrolla.Africa on Thursday, Elvis’s brother Godknows Nyathi said the family is heartbroken at the manner his brother died.
“The memorial service gave a chance to my brother’s family and friends who gathered at the hall to say their last goodbyes.
“As tough as it was, many people came,” Godknows said.
Nyathi was killed in Diepsloot after a group of people dragged him out of his shack when he could not produce an ID document. He was beaten, necklaced, and burned alive.
On Thursday, there were reports on social media that a man had been arrested in connection with Elvis’s murder.
Police could not confirm the arrest.
Elvis will be buried on Saturday in his home town of Bulawayo.
