Manzini, Eswatini — The Shongwe family is reeling in disbelief and profound grief after the body of their late father was cremated without the knowledge or consent of his children, sparking allegations of secrecy and family betrayal.
The deceased, Mr. Shongwe, had battled a serious illness for approximately one month before passing away on **23 May 2026**. What should have been a time for collective mourning and dignified farewell has instead turned into a painful saga of exclusion and outrage.
According to family accounts, three sisters of the deceased, who reside in South Africa, swiftly travelled to Eswatini upon his death. They allegedly removed his remains from the hospital mortuary and transferred them to **Dups Funeral Home and Crematorium** in Manzini — all without informing his immediate family, including his only son.
The sisters reportedly made arrangements to bury him on a Thursday. However, the son challenged these plans, leading to police intervention. Officers advised the family to sit down and reach an amicable agreement on the funeral arrangements.
Instead of honouring this process, the three sisters allegedly proceeded secretly. They arranged for the cremation of the body at Dups and then departed Eswatini without notifying the rest of the family or attending any agreed meeting.
The son, expecting to view his father’s body at the mortuary as part of the family discussions, was left devastated when Dups staff informed him that the remains had already been cremated. In a state of shock, he broke the news to other relatives, compounding the family’s trauma.
“This is not just about burial rites — it is about basic respect and the right of children to mourn their father properly,” a family source said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
In Eswatini, where cultural and traditional practices around death, burial, and family consensus carry deep significance, such incidents often ignite disputes over customary rights, inheritance, and the appropriate handling of remains. Cremation is not the traditional norm for many families, making this case particularly contentious.
Dups Funeral Home, a well-known establishment in Manzini providing funeral and crematorium services, has not been accused of wrongdoing, as they appear to have acted on instructions from the sisters who presented themselves as authorised.
As of now, the Shongwe family is grappling with the emotional fallout. The son and other relatives are said to be consulting on possible next steps, including seeking legal advice regarding the handling of the deceased’s remains and ashes.
This incident highlights broader tensions that can arise in blended or extended families during times of loss, especially when members are geographically dispersed across borders. It raises painful questions about communication, consent, and the role of immediate next-of-kin in funeral decisions.
The Times of Eswatini extends its deepest condolences to the entire Shongwe family during this difficult period. May they find strength and unity as they navigate this unexpected grief.
