Alex Matlala

Alex Matlala

The Mokoena family in Hoedspruit, Limpopo, whose relative could not be buried over the Easter weekend because of a land dispute, will have to wait a little longer.

They were told yesterday that the farmowner was still abroad and no one had the power to sanction the burial on his behalf.

The manager of Welverdiend farm, Pieter Erasmus, told Sowetan yesterday that he had no authority to sanction burials on the farm without the approval of the owner.

Erasmus said the owner was "overseas", but could not say where in particular.

"I will wait until my boss comes back to give me permission to allow the family to bury their relative on the farm," said Erasmus.

Beers Bango, spokesman for the Mokoena family, expressed disappointment at yesterday's turn of events.

The Mokoena and the Bango families were evicted from the farm in September after the owner allegedly forced them to auction their cattle because he wanted to use the land for game farming.