The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government says preparations for the repatriation of the mortal remains of a medical student, who passed away in the Philippines, are at an advanced stage.

Snegugu Ntobeko Myeni from Utrecht, who was a final-year medical student in the Philippines, passed away at the airport on 10 July 2023, as she was about to board a plane back to South Africa.

After hearing about the family’s plight through a video recording where her mother, Lindiwe Myeni, made an emotional plea for assistance, the provincial government intervened and committed to provide support and assistance to repatriate Myeni’s mortal remains.

The provincial government said it has been working with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the Ambassador of South Africa to the Philippines to expedite repatriation efforts.

“The initial expected date of the arrival of Snegugu’s mortal remains in the country was Saturday, 22 July 2023. However, we are still awaiting a final letter from the attending doctor in the Philippines to finalise the repatriation of Snegugu’s mortal remains.

“We expect that the medical processes will be concluded soon. We encourage the Myeni family to take comfort in the knowledge that the greater part of the work has already been done by the provincial government to ensure that Snegugu’s remains are brought home to her loved ones in a dignified manner,” the provincial government said in a statement.

Source: South African Government News Agency