South Africans Weigh In as Nathi Mthethwa’s Family Fetches His Body from Richards Bay Mortuary

10 hours ago

South Africans Weigh In as Nathi Mthethwa’s Family Fetches His Body from Richards Bay Mortuary

The death of former Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has taken an emotional turn as his family arrived at the Richards Bay mortuary to retrieve his body. The heartbreaking scene quickly made headlines—and once again, South Africans have had a lot to say.

From sympathy to controversy, the nation is deeply divided over Mthethwa’s legacy, the circumstances surrounding his death, and how leaders and the public are responding.

Here’s how South Africans are reacting to this sensitive moment.

1. A Painful Moment: Family Collects the Body

Witnesses described the atmosphere at the Richards Bay mortuary as:

Heavy with grief
Guarded with tight family presence
Surrounded by both officials and community members

The family appeared visibly emotional as formal identification and paperwork were completed.
For many South Africans, this moment made the loss feel real.

2. Sympathy and Respect: “Let the family mourn in peace”

A large portion of the public expressed pure empathy, regardless of political opinion:

✅ “Whatever his legacy, death is tragic.”
✅ “His family doesn’t deserve public cruelty.”
✅ “Let them mourn with dignity.”

Some highlighted that his wife, children, and relatives are suffering and urged people to separate the man from the politician during this time of grief.

3. Questions and Suspicion: “What really happened?”

Even as the body was collected, mystery still surrounds his death.

Cele himself questioned the official narrative, pointing to:

Inconsistencies in reports
Delayed police response
Changes in phone location data

Now the public is asking:

Was it really suicide?
Was there foul play?
Is someone hiding the truth?

Many South Africans do not fully trust the official explanation.

4. Debate Over His Legacy: “Hero or Failure?”

As the news spread, social media reignited the legacy debate:

Those who defended him said:

✔ He served the country for years.
✔ He was loyal to the ANC.
✔ He introduced key policing strategies.

Critics responded:

✖ “What about Marikana?”
✖ “Crime skyrocketed under his leadership.”
✖ “He represented government silence and lack of accountability.”

Some feel uncomfortable with the “hero narrative” being pushed, especially by political leaders at a time of national grief.

5. Anger at Political Reactions: “Stop using his death for agendas”

South Africans also noticed how politicians are using his death to score points.

Some leaders are defending Mthethwa to attack current ministers.
Others are staying silent to avoid controversy.
Cele’s emotional tribute sparked anger after he called critics “monsters.”

People are asking:

“Why are politicians fighting instead of focusing on the family and the truth?”

6. A Nation Caught Between Grief and Distrust

The collection of Mthethwa’s body has symbolized more than just a personal loss.

It exposed three deep tensions in South Africa:

Public grief vs. political memory
Respect for the dead vs. the right to critique
Sympathy for the family vs. distrust of the system

Mthethwa’s death is no longer just a news story—it has become a mirror reflecting the country’s pain, history, and division.

Conclusion

As Nathi Mthethwa’s family collected his body from Richards Bay mortuary, the nation watched with mixed emotions. Some mourned, some questioned, some remembered—and some refused to forget the past.