The deceased was buried with one hand severed.
A family in Kwabre East City, Ashanti Region, was forced to bury a relative who died without even one hand.
According to Isaac Agyenim Boateng, a Rainbow Radio correspondent in the area, the person in charge of dressing the body, who was known to be a chronic alcoholic, had finished the job and instructed the family to stay with the body.
“The person who disposed of the body explained that after he had finished disposing of the body at around 2am or 3am, he told the family that his work was done and that they should stay with the body.
“The body was found lying under a canopy outside the property. After the body had left, the family claimed to have heard noises.”
“And when they rushed to where he was laid to rest, they found that his hand had been severed at his left wrist.
“Police searched everywhere but could not find the hand so reported the incident to the police station and the station chief,” he reported.
Isaac added that the family’s grief didn’t end there: when they arrived at the cemetery for the burial, they found the grave they had dug had been filled up with sand.
This unexpected obstacle forced them to dig another grave before burying their relative.
The case has sparked grief and controversy, with the family facing additional fines and traditional penalties.
“The chief declared it taboo and consulted the town witch doctor, who fined the family 2,000 cedis for negligence, which resulted in the deceased’s hand being chopped off.
“They asked us to add eggs and a goat for the traditional ceremony, and on arrival at the cemetery we found the area where they intended to bury him filled in with sand.
“We had to dig again before we could bury him,” he added.
Am/Sarah
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