THE burial of the murdered transgender athlete, popularly known as Samukeliso Sithole, has been delayed as confusion over his name reigns.
PRIVILEGE SHOKO/ NQOBANI NDLOVU
A family member who spoke on condition of anonymity said they were still sorting out his identity particulars.
“We are still sorting the identity particulars for Mduduzi, but his burial will take place at our rural home in Lower Gweru,” he said.
He said the delay was because the controversial athlete used different names, with some documents identifying him as Samukeliso Sithole, yet his real name was Mduduzi Sibanda.
There is confusion over his age with some particulars indicating that he is 41 years old while others state he is 33. Sithole, born Mduduzi Sibanda, was a multi-talented sports person who competed in international events as a female in disciplines such as triple jump, shot putt, netball and athletics, where he scooped gold and silver medals.
Contacted for comment, Mduduzi’s aunt said Southern Eye had nothing to do with Sibanda’s burial.
“The burial of Mduduzi has nothing to do with you, what do you need the burial date for?” she said.
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Sithole was on Wednesday stabbed by his younger brother Kelvin, allegedly in a dispute over a wardrobe inherited from their late parents.
His life of deceit started at Ndamathuli Secondary School in Silobela in 2004 when some teachers at the school fraudulently acquired a birth certificate belonging to Samukeliso Sithole, a Form Four student at the school for him to use at competitions.
He was arrested and spent time in prison. After being exposed as a fraud, he went underground and only re-emerged in 2010 as a boxer.
The Zimbabwe Amateur Boxing Association barred him from competitive boxing after he resurfaced in Chiredzi, where he had been an instant female hero.
His younger brother, Kelvin, was reportedly arrested at Sibamba Sports Bar in Sizinda on Friday by Tshabalala police officers while he was playing pool with his friend.
