Mokoena family pleads for respect after exhumation videos go viral

The family of a man who allegedly exhumed the remains of his father and grandfather in Masoyi, outside Hazyview, has called on the public to stop sharing videos of the incident on social media.

Elkin Mokoena was arrested at his home in Swalala on Monday after he was found in possession of human bones. He allegedly dug up the graves of his relatives at a local cemetery. Mokoena is expected to appear in the local magistrate’s court on Monday. 

Family spokesperson Phumla Mokoena expressed deep distress over the incident, apologising to the community and asking for compassion. 

“We really apologise for what has happened. We are as traumatised as you are. We are apologizing to the community of Swalala and the neighbouring communities, and the country at large. This incident has left us suffering from secondary trauma. We are also pleading with everyone to respect us and refrain from circulating disturbing visuals of our family members’ remains on social media,” she adds.