Picture: The Director of Omolemo Funerals, Hlomelang Manare/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
Some clients who are still owed by the bogus Director of Omolemo Funerals, Hlomelang Manare said, their hopes are wearing thin. They alleged that Manare (32), who was found guilty of fraud of owing them.
Maruping Mocwadira (43) from Lokgabeng village, near Taung alleged that he bought a tombstone worth R16 000 last year from Manare, but he failed to deliver.
“I am worried because on 7 August 2023, I also paid R1000 for a funeral cover. It has been a while since they promised to deliver the tombstone. Manare said he is experiencing financial difficulties because his employees were allegedly pocketing the money, instead of depositing it into the business account,” he said.
Another irate client, Moatlhodi Lencwe (60) from Mogopela A village said, he bought a tombstone for his mother, Maserame Gaonnwe at Omolemo Funerals, but it has not been delivered.
“Now, family members are not happy with what is happening. Manare promised to bring the tombstone in March 2023. However, nothing has happened and we were paying a monthly premium. They continue to send me from pillar to post.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in the North West, Henry Mamothame said: “Manare was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment by the Taung Regional Court for fraud. Manare acted as a financial services provider without having a license and lured members of the public, particularly the elderly to take insurance policies from his company, Omolemo Funerals, whilst he knowing that his company is not registered.
“Between 2019 and 2020, Manare registered five complainants on cashback policies in his company, Omolemo Funerals. He promised to pay his unsuspecting clients after the death of the insured, whereas he knew his company was not underwritten by any insurance company. Manare was convicted on one count of the Contravention of Section 7(1) of the Financial Advisory Intermediary Act 37 of 2002 and five of fraud.”
Mamothame said Manare paid R20 000 fine and he was also sentenced to 18 months imprisonment on five counts of fraud, which was suspended for three years.
In aggravation of the sentence, the state prosecutor, Rebaona Mokgopa, argued that Manare preyed on vulnerable people, who lived off social grants. Mokgopa said the unsuspecting clients relied on the services of the accused in the unfortunate event of death.
Meanwhile, the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality spokesperson, Joel Motlhasedi said: “An inspection for funeral undertakers is conducted according to the regulations relating to the management of Human Remains, No. R363 of 22 May 2013. Omolemo Funerals Services was visited for inspection in February 2022, and the funeral undertaker’s premises or mortuary does not create a health nuisance or endanger human health.
“The funeral undertaker meets minimum requirements stipulated in the mentioned regulations and was then issued with a certificate of competence. The municipality makes use of R363 to conduct inspections.”
Motlhasedi said the Environmental Health Practitioners conduct routine inspections at funeral undertakers, which is done once a year in accordance with the National Norms and Standards relating to Environmental Health in terms of the National Health Act, 2003 No. 61 of 2003, Notice 1229 of 2015 unless otherwise.
Meanwhile, Manare refused to comment on the matter.
The Guardian 