A Kraaifontein family is devastated after a relative died in Namibia and his boss is allegedly refusing to pay for his body to be repatriated.
Peter ‘Rasta’ Fredericks, 34, worked for Thermo Seal Waterproofing in Swakopmund and drowned on 2 November.
His aunt, Mary-Anne Engel, 53, says Peter needs to be laid to rest so that they can get closure.
“Peter belonged to the Aman Traditional Authority Royal House and the day the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup we found out he drowned at the beach,” she says.
“We want Peter home to give him a proper and dignified funeral.”
She says Peter’s boss, Johan van Zyl, told the family he would assist but they are still waiting.
“Van Zyl promised he’d put forward R20k for the funeral and for the body to be brought home. To date, nothing.
“Peter’s death certificate states the cause of death unknown, now the policies don’t want to pay out, otherwise we’d have brought him home already.”
But when the Daily Voice spoke to Van Zyl on Monday he disputed the family’s claims.
He says the hold-up is from the Namibian undertakers.
“I’m not refusing (to assist) at all. I had a meeting with the family and now they’re trying to cause problems,” he says.
“I’m awaiting an invoice from the undertakers to finalise the agreement for his body to be sent back. At the time of his death, Peter was not on duty.
“He was drinking and was warned not to go swim and he drowned.”
DROWNED: Peters, 34