The family of the late Gaoberekwe Pitseng has postponed his burial ceremony until further notice, but still intends to bury him in the Central Kgalagadi Game Reserve (CKGR), defying a Court of Appeal ruling.
The family had initially decided to bury Pitseng on 22nd December 2023 inside the CKGR.
Pitseng died on the 21st of December 2021 and two years later, he is yet to be buried after a protracted legal battle against government that reached all the way to the Court of Appeal in December 2022. The family lost the bid to bury Pitseng in the CKGR and his body is still lying at Joyce Funeral Parlour in Gantsi.
After losing at the Court of Appeal, the family has sought redress by the African Commission in the matter.
Smith Moeti who is a cousin to Pitseng’s son, Lesiame Pitseng, told MmegiOnline that the burial ceremony did not proceed as planned because other family members were unavailable. He said a new date would be set as soon as the entire family is available to attend the burial ceremony.
“We had informed the funeral parlour about the intention to bury the deceased, and they invited us to come and discuss how the process could be carried out,” Moeti said. “They informed us that they would get the body ready for burial. “The other challenge we are facing is the vehicle that would be used to transport the body.”
Moeti said after Pitseng’s death, the government was determined to bury him in New Xade or any other area outside CKGR.
However the family has instead decided that Pitseng would be buried in Metsiamanong settlement inside the CKGR.
