Feared KwaZulu-Natal businessman Nkululeko Mkhize's reputation and empire were built on tears and blood. And for that, his brother Mathula Mkhize expressed regret at the thug's funeral on Friday.
Mkhize, 32, died in a hail of bullets when police stormed his Zimbali Estate mansion two weeks ago.
“I want to apologise on behalf of my brother,” Mathula told mourners at the heavily guarded funeral of the taxi and tow-truck boss in Richards Bay.
Mkhize's final send-off featured a convoy of about 15 luxury vehicles escorting the family and a specially designed casket with animal prints. It was preceded by about 10 revving motorbikes.
The entourage of immediate family members and businessmen escorted by bodyguards wore a mixture of traditional gear, tailored suits and designer dresses. They sat under a white marquee with elegant décor and flowers while Maskandi artists performed at the packed Umzingazi sports ground.
Mkhize's alleged partner in crime, former police officer Sabelo Cele, was also killed in the shoot-out when police entered Mkhize's rented home in Zimbali to arrest him. The raid followed a lead on a drug-related shooting incident in which five people were killed in Richards Bay, days earlier.
Police recovered six firearms and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition from Mkhize's home.
“I know that there are those who are here to celebrate his (Mkhize's) death. If you are here today and you’ve cried and grieved because you lost your family members at the hands of my brother, I want to apologise on his behalf. Go home and tell your family that we, as his blood, are apologising for him, his actions, and the pain you all endured,” said Mathula, who is a well-known taxi boss in Durban.
Mathula’s comments came after people took to social media to celebrate Mkhize’s death, labelling him as a notorious, heartless and brutal criminal.
If you are here today and you’ve cried and grieved because you lost your family members at the hands of my brother, I want to apologise on his behalf ... As his blood, we are apologising for his actions and the pain you endured
— Mathula Mkhize
“They say you do not speak ill of the dead, but Mkhize's death is to be celebrated,” said one man at the funeral who lives in the community. “He made life difficult for business owners in the area and was untouchable. We've known him from an early age and he didn't build his businesses, he took them with force and firearms. Those who stood in his way, he didn't mind taking their lives as well.”
Others agreed, saying Mkhize had a terrible reputation and his money was ill-gotten.
Mkhize was a taxi boss in Richards Bay who owned a tow-truck company and Lekos mechanical and services company which dealt with plant hire and construction.
He is believed to have been a kingpin in the syndicates which plundered Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) in recent years, and was suspected to be involved in several murders related to this.
According to his obituary in the official programme, Mkhize opened his company in 2018, having worked at Total Garage in Meerensee, Richards Bay.
Sources at the funeral said Mkhize owned several vehicles and never travelled without a multi-vehicle convoy with about 10 bodyguards. He owned multiple luxury cars. Mkhize flew to Dubai this year to celebrate his 32nd birthday.
Mathula, who is a member of the South African National Taxi Council Durban-West region, said “luck” had fallen into Mkhize’s lap “less than three years ago”, and he was a “fast learner” in the business.
“He slipped on our watch. We decided to take a step back as soon as we realised that he was able to do things by himself. I would come wearing a R120,000 outfit and Nkululeko would come wearing an outfit worth R800,000. He loved expensive things and would order a pair of socks worth R80,000. He would wear shorts and keep the price tag on so we could see what he paid.
“I was born into wealth but when I go to indishi (a traditional bridal shower) with my R20,000, Nkululeko would come with over R100,000. He had all the power, which was something we wished for him, and we decided to take a step back and give him wings to fly. We lost day-to-day communication about what was happening in his life. In a way, we have accepted the manner in which he died.”
Mkhize’s close friend, Siyabonga Ntuli, shared a story with mourners about the reputation of his “fearless friend”.
Ntuli said he was travelling to work when he was accosted by a group of heavily armed men who demanded a vehicle and money. He told the men he didn’t have money and asked to call to a friend who could arrange it.
“It was early in the morning and I had a gun at my head. I called Nkululeko and luckily he answered. He was on loudspeaker and I explained what was happening. He warned the men that if they dared touch me, he would find them before the end of the day. Then he dropped the call.
“They asked me ‘Who was this guy?’ and I told them it was Nkululeko Mkhize. They looked at each other, gave back my phone and keys and told me to leave. Nkululeko called me soon after and asked if everything was sorted, and I told him everything was fine,” said Ntuli, amid laughter from the mourners.
In a heartwarming poem, Mkhize’s wife MaKhubisa described him as a loving husband and father who always wanted the best for his family.
Mkhize leaves his five children, his wife and a fiancée. The wedding date was already set.
Outside there was a heavy police presence with more than 20 police vehicles stationed in different spots and a police helicopter.
A group of police stood at a taxi rank about 500m from the funeral venue.
