Athlone hero finally finds resting place
REST IN PEACE: Yusuf Kiboroto was buried according to Islamic rites
Yusuf Kiboroto, the hero who drowned while trying to save eight-year-old Abieda Paulse in Athlone, was finally laid to rest on Wednesday.
His body was kept in the state mortuary for two months as the DNA samples from his parents, who are in Tanzania, and certain documents were still outstanding.
This was needed as Yusuf’s face was not recognisable after it spent nearly two weeks in the river.
According to law, DNA samples are required to identify an unrecognisable body, failing which it would be cremated if unclaimed.
The Aljama-ah political party went to court to force Home Affairs to release the body and the order was granted on Wednesday.
Party leader Ganief Hendricks said: “The judge granted the release of the body of Hafeeth Yusuf Kiboroto and ruled there is no need for any red tape or DNA tests.”
As soon as the body was released it was prepared for the janaazah at the Al Ansar Mosque.
Yusuf was buried at the Klip Road Cemetery in Grassy Park.
Hendricks says in this case, it became incumbent on the Muslim community to ensure Yusuf’s burial.
Yusuf’s father Akida, 86, thanked the Muslim community for granting him his wish of burying his son according to Islamic rites: “I am at peace now, we were having sleepless nights knowing he is still lying in ice. I want to thank everyone in South Africa.”
Abieda and Yusuf were washed away after the banks of a canal near Vygieskraal informal settlement burst on 9 July.
Abieda’s body was found under the M5 bridge on 21 July and a day later Yusuf’s body was found in Bokmakiere.