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People lined the streets of Eldorado Park before Nathaniel Julies’ funeral on Saturday.
- Mourners formed a guard of honor as Nathaniel Julies’ body passed through the crowd to Mount Carmel Ministries in Eldorado Park.
- A small commotion broke out as the pallbearers struggled to get through the church doors due to the large number of people gathered.
- Residents said they were promised the service would be broadcast on outdoor screens.
Mourners lined the streets of Eldorado Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, saluting the hearse carrying the body of slain Nathaniel Julies.
Holding placards bearing his image, mourners formed an honor guard as his body passed through the crowd to Mount Carmel Ministries in Eldorado Park, where the funeral was held.
But not all members of the murdered teenager’s family were able to enter the venue to pay their final respects, as their names were not included in the list of attendees required for funerals held during the national shutdown, they said.
Julies’ uncles, Cyril Brown and Justin Sengoatsi, said it was “shocking” that they couldn’t attend.
“How can there be a funeral when some of the family members are locked outside? We don’t have a chance to pay our last respects to my nephew. SAPS members feel like they are in charge and in control.”
Sengoatsi said he was sad that they were not allowed to enter the church.
“The way the police are treating us outside the door, they don’t respect us as a family. Other than that, we will not allow what happened at the door [get in the way of proceedings] because we want to bury our son with dignity, “Sengoatsi said.
The motorcyclists revved their engines as they drove in two lines alongside the vehicle carrying Julies’ remains to the service.
Many cried as they held up photos of the teenager, while the children ran behind the hearse shouting “We want justice.”
Among the dignitaries were the general secretary of the South African Federation of Trade Unions, Zwelinzima Vavi, and the leader of the ACDP, the Rev. Kenneth Meshoe.
At the funeral site, the police banned some relatives and journalists from various media outlets.
Closing regulations allow only 50 people to attend a funeral.
A small commotion broke out as the pallbearers struggled to get through the church doors due to the amount of people gathered, hoping to be able to follow procedures.
Residents said they were promised the service would be broadcast on outdoor screens.
Julies, who had Down syndrome, was shot and killed near his home in Eldorado Park on Aug. 26.
Charges have been brought against three police officers in connection with the boy’s death.
Simon “Scorpion” Ndyalvane, 46, and Caylene Whiteboy, 26, they faced charges of homicide, defeat for the purposes of justice, firing a firearm in a public space and possession of prohibited ammunition.
Detective Sergeant Foster Netshiongolo, 37, faced charges of murder as an accessory after the fact, the illegal possession of ammunition and the defeat of the aims of justice.
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