The aggrieved family of the late afro-soul chanteuse Zahara has opened an inquest docket at the Roodepoort police station after suspecting foul play.
Inquest case opened
Zahara, real name Bulelwa Mkutukana, died at Olievedale Netcare Hospital in Joburg on December 11.
She was 36.
The inquest was opened by Zahara’s brother Junior Mkutukana on the same day Zahara passed on. She died after being hospitalised for several days at the private hospital.
The inquest, which was taken down by Constable Modupe and checked by Warrant Officer Netshiunda, reads:”The complainant, Mr Mkutukana, alleged that on 2023-12-11 at about 12:00 he was at Roodepoort when Bulelwa Mkutukana complained of stomach pains. She was taken to Olievedale Netcare Hospital and was declared dead (sic).”
Rumours about health issues
Before and after her death, allegations that the Umthwalo hitmaker suffered from liver-related complications and pre-diabetes had been doing the rounds.
But the award-winning songbird’s family does not buy the story, hence it opened the inquest.
The inquest means that police will investigate the cause of Zahara’s death.
Suspected poisoning
Sunday World understands Zahara’s family suspects that the singer could have been poisoned by her enemies.
The suspicions that the artist could have been possibly bumped off were allegedly given credence by two contradicting preliminary autopsy reports the family had received after the Loliwe hitmaker’s death.
Conflicting autopsy reports
It is alleged that one autopsy report states that Zahara died of “natural causes”.
The other one states her cause of death as “under investigation”.
When contacted for comment, Zahara’s manager Oyama Dyosiba denied any knowledge of the case. He referred us to the late singer’s uncle and family spokesperson Nkosi Mkutukana.
Nkosi feigned ignorance. “Which case are you talking about? We did not open any inquest at Roodepoort. I have no knowledge of this.”
Police confirm docket
Gauteng police spokesperson Mavela Masondo confirmed that an inquest docket has been opened for investigation.
“We can confirm that an inquest docket has been registered for investigation,” he said.
Zahara will be laid to rest at her home town of Phumlani in the Eastern Cape on Saturday.
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