The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government has denied claims it paid R50 million towards Mandla ‘Mampintsha’ Maphumulo’s funeral expenses.
Mampintsha, 40, who was a key member of Big Nuz, a popular award-winning music group that started in Umlazi, died on Christmas Day after suffering a minor stroke after attending a show in Durban.
Mampintsha’s funeral
Mampintsha was laid to rest at a funeral ceremony last week at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Center in Durban.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube visited Maphumulo’s family and his widow, Bongekile ‘Babes Wodumo’ Simelane, at their home ahead of a memorial service on Thursday morning.
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Funeral expenses
While the KZN provincial government announced it would help bury Mampintsha, it denied paying R50 million for the musician’s funeral.
It said it was “regrettable that it was forced to respond to false rumors being spread on social media about its support for Kwaito and Gqom star Mandla Mampintsha Maphumulo.”
Spokesperson Lennox Mabasao said R320 000 was given to the family by the provincial government.
“The lie that was sold for about R50 million is nothing more than the imagination of morally and spiritually bankrupt people.
“We would rather appeal to the public to be careful and not abuse the power of social media by spreading false information,” said Mabaso.
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