[imagesource:pexels]

At a funeral for a man who lost his life in a shootout with security guards during a cash-in-transit heist, two Eastern Cape women gave him a gun salute by firing shots in the air, injuring the poor undertaker.

At least it didn’t end with a death at a funeral.

The women are facing a string of criminal charges after they were allegedly caught on camera giving the deceased friend a gun salute, while the undertaker fights for his life in hospital after he took a bullet to his upper body at the chaotic 15 October funeral.

The Citizen reports that the funeral took place at the late 30-year-old Simthembile Mkhangeli’s ancestral home in Mcetywa Location, outside the rural Eastern Cape town of Tsolo.

Mkhangeli was killed when guards from G4S, SBV and Fidelity were involved in a massive shoot-out with eight suspected robbers on the N2 highway between KwaBhaca and Mthatha on 2 October, according to the Hawks.

His friends Bongo Yonela Dipa, 24, and Chumisa Phunguzwa, 35, were arrested after videos surfaced on social media, showing them shooting at the funeral. Some terrified mourners can be seen hiding under chairs and tables as sounds of AK47 rifles and 9mm pistols rang out, while others can be heard cheering the gun-wielding people on.

This was at a funeral where people were left injured because of Gun shots. pic.twitter.com/lhAKYF3PDk

— Man’s NOT Barry Roux (@AdvoBarryRoux) December 4, 2023

It is not legal for civilians to do gun salutes for their fallen friends, said forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan.

“The law is clear that weapons may only be discharged on a licensed firing range, or in use for legitimate purposes, such as lawful hunting, lawful competition, or lawful self defence,” said O’Sullivan.

Even when the military does a salute to a deceased serviceman, they only fire blanks, added O’Sullivan.

The Hawks arrested the pair over allegations of unlawful discharge of a firearm, possession of an unlicensed firearm and attempted murder since a funeral parlour employee was injured due to the shooting incident.

“The investigation revealed that the pair was among the people that were identified during the alleged incident. Moreover, a comprehensive investigation resulted in the execution of a warrant of arrest which was authorised hence the arrest of the duo on 30 November 2023,” said Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndimphiwe Mhlakuvana.

[source:citizen]