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A man almost buried a doll believing it was his deceased child after his ex-girlfriend allegedly faked a pregnancy and funeral to get money from him.
The incident happened in Machibini, in South Africa, and came to light on 2nd August.
Nkululeko Zulu, 44, said his ex-girlfriend Diyana Maluleke, also 44, had told him she was pregnant with his child and later claimed the baby had died.
He said: "I was very sad because I had already told myself that I was going to have a baby."
Zulu said he spent money throughout the supposed pregnancy and then arranged a funeral after being informed the baby had passed away.
He explained: "There was nothing else we could do so we just started making funeral arrangements."
On the day of the funeral, Maluleke arrived carrying a small coffin.
Family members said she looked genuinely grief-stricken.
But when a relative asked to open the coffin so they could say goodbye, they found a doll wrapped in baby clothes inside.
Zulu said: "I almost had a heart attack and I threw the doll on the ground."
Zulu said he had also paid for transport, food, and burial arrangements.
He said: "Everyone asked me what she would gain from this act, but I don't know, other than her intention was to keep getting money from me."
With the grave already dug, the family conducted a cleansing ritual and buried a goat instead.
Zulu is now facing a summons from his local tribal chief and will have to apologise for digging a grave under false pretences.
He said he planned to open a case at the Point Road Police Station in Durban.
(Mike Leidig / newsX)
Byline Journalist: Mike Leidig
Byline Sub editor: Simona Kitanovska
Byline Spotter: Ivica Stojanovski
Byline Commisioning Editor: Mike Leidig
Byline Senior Writer: Mike Leidig
Byline Picture Editor: Zorica Stojkovik
Byline Copychecker: Angela Trajkovska
Byline Illustrator: Angela Trajkovska
Byline News Editor: Mike Leidig
Geography: Mandeni
Subject: Humans, Children, Legal, Crime, Real-life, Relationships / Dating, Society
T4 Editor Story Rating: 7
T4 Editor Pic/Vid rating: 8
T4 Total rating: 7.5
