BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MBABANE – Government has announced that the late Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala will be accorded a state funeral and has committed a total of E500 000 towards the funeral arrangements.
This was disclosed on Wednesday by Minister for Tinkhundla Administration and Development Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, who was representing the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, during a Government delegation’s visit to the late Chief Justice’s family home at KaLiba to pay respects.
Dlamini said Government had already pledged E100 000 towards the funeral and had brought the money to the family.
He further announced an additional E400 000, bringing Government’s total contribution to E500 000.
The minister said the E400 000 would be used to cater for other requirements associated with the funeral, while the E100 000 was part of the initial assistance being provided by Government.
Dlamini said he was publicly declaring the amounts to ensure transparency and that emaSwati were aware of what Government was contributing towards the funeral.
He said the logistics surrounding the state funeral would be discussed and planned with members of the Maphalala family before being communicated to the relevant parties.
Dlamini conveyed Government’s condolences to the bereaved family, saying Maphalala had served the country with dedication.
He also thanked Their Majesties for according the late Chief Justice a state funeral, saying the gesture recognised the service he rendered to the country.
The Government delegation included Minister for Housing and Urban Development Apollo Maphalala, who also paid his respects to the family.
Also present was Civil Service Commission Chairman Simanga Mamba, while representatives from the Judiciary, Human Rights Commission, Magistrates and the Attorney General’s Office also visited the KaLiba homestead to pay their respects.
The visit came as Government continued to mourn the death of Maphalala, who died last week while receiving treatment in South Africa. He had served as Chief Justice since 2015 and was the first liSwati to hold the country’s highest judicial office.
Following his death, Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini expressed Government’s profound sorrow and extended condolences to the Maphalala family, members of the Bench, the legal fraternity and others who had worked with him in the administration of justice.
The Prime Minister also appealed to the public to accord the bereaved family dignity, privacy and respect during the mourning period.
Regionally, Maphalala led the Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices’ Forum.
Outside of his robe, Maphalala held a prominent traditional leadership role as he also served as Indvuna Yemcuba at Ekuhlaleni Royal Kraal.
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