Durban - The family of a woman who died on an MSC Cruises liner has appealed to MSC executives to allow them to fetch the spirit of their daughter.
On March 24, two months into her job, Hombisa “Nana” Mafuduka, 30, the mother of a six-year-old daughter from Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, was found dead on the cruise liner returning to Durban from Mozambique.
Her aunt, Lulama “Lulu” Mafuduka, who has taken care of Hombisa’s daughter and her three brothers since their mother died, told the Daily News that the spirit of Hombisa had not rested well as her spirit was still wandering on the boat.
Mafuduka accused MSC management of not being honest about the details of Hombisa’s death, arguing that it was not natural and that MSC did not allow them to visit the scene where their daughter was found in a pool of blood.
“This has caused so much pain to our family. We are still sitting here with no details on what exactly killed her. On the day before she died, I spoke to her on the phone, and she never complained about anything. She had no medical condition, so the story we are being told by MSC is that she started vomiting blood does not cut it.
“Nana was a peaceful person who loved her family. We do not even know what to say to her child. We are perplexed, and some of the family members are accusing me of having accepted a bribe of R5 million from MSC. I would never sell my soul and take money from anyone when I do not even know what got Nana killed,” said Mafuduka.
Contacted for comment, MSC managing director Ross Volk said: “As a family-owned company ourselves, we are deeply affected by the tragic death of our colleague Hombisa Mafuduka and have since the early days of this tragedy stayed in close and constant contact with her own family and provided every support to them.
“The events that led to this tragedy are under investigation by the SAPS, and we have co-operated with them throughout their investigation – and will continue to do so – in the hope that more light will be shone on the circumstances and cause of her untimely death,” he said.
Volk said senior management at MSC Cruises in South Africa has kept in close and constant contact with the Mafuduka family and kept them informed of all developments.
“Some measures we have undertaken include providing mandatory bereavement support to the family members. Our presence at the funeral was well received by the family and community,” he said.
Asked whether they had refused the family access to the scene where she died, he said they offered the family the opportunity to fetch Nana’s spirit before her burial, but the family never showed up.
“They were offered three times. However, they said they were busy with other aspects. They have been advised that they will always be welcome to have access to conduct the ceremony and collect her spirit.”
Last month, national police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Netshiunda, said police were investigating Nana’s mysterious death.
Daily News