Siphosethu’s Family Pleads With Eastern Cape Premier To Get China To Preserve Her Remains As They Raise Funds

• Siphosethu Mqokozo's family pleaded with the Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane to help repatriate her body
• The premier's office said it's working with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) to help how they can
• The family has to raise R300 000 that will cover the process of having their deceased child brought home

EASTERN CAPE - The family of Siphosethu Mqokozo has asked the Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane to speak to Naledi Pandor, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, to ask China to preserve her body while they raise funds to repatriate her.

One of the relatives Vuyiswa Mkhabela, composed a touching email saying that they are aware that Dirco doesn't cover expenses for repatriating the remains of deceased citizens in a foreign country, and it's the responsibility of the families, reported City Press.

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But she warmly asked the Premier on Friday to discuss with South Africa's ambassador to China, Siyabonga Cwele and Pando, to have her remains returned.

According to IOL, her family, with the help of social media, has been trying to raise R300 000 to return her remains to South Africa

The spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Premier, Khuselwa Rantjie, said:

"The premier is saddened that the deceased died while working abroad and supporting her family. The office of the premier is working closely with Dirco to facilitate consular assistance, however, this excludes financial support. The premier reiterates the call made by Dirco that South Africans travelling or staying abroad must take travel insurance to be fully covered against any eventuality."

Siphosethu has been working in China as an English teacher since 2019. The 30-year-old died last Thurday on the way to the hospital after she suffered a panic attack.

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Government Says It Is Not Its Duty to Repatriate Bodies As Another Teacher Dies While Working in China

Briefly News recently reported that the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) said that it is not its duty to repatriate the bodies of citizens who die overseas. Dirco's statements follow the death of a South African teacher working in China.

Siphosethu Mqokozo’s family is crowdfunding to raise money to repatriate her body from China.

Source: Briefly News