Queba (47), who was a member of the George Taxi Owners Front and the chief GIPTN (bus network) negotiator for the George taxi industry, was found with a gunshot wound to the head inside his taxi on the N2 between the Garden Route Mall and the Thembalethu off-ramp on Sunday 25 May.
The day of mourning and tribute was scheduled to start at 11:00 at the Queba residence, but with hundreds of people gathered there since 06:00 that morning, the first service already started at 07:00. Roads in the area had to be closed off as people crowded to be part of the tribute process. A heavy police presence was maintained throughout the day.
With the funeral service scheduled for 13:00 in the Conville Community Hall, people gathered from 11:00 to secure a seat in the hall.
Close friends of Queba, including George Executive Mayor Charles Standers, took to the stage to pay tribute.
Standers described him as a family man, a father, a grandfather, a brother, a member of this community, a community and church leader, a business leader and a negotiator whose vision was to serve his people. "Life... is ridden with moments of hardship, joy, tears, laughter and sorrow. All these define us. To the Queba family, I want to say that there is nothing wrong with crying or weeping, because in that, God brings healing."
Another friend, Wessel Robertson, said Queba was the voice of voices in his position as leader. "He achieved everything he was destined for." Lionel Fortuin, a colleague of Queba, said looking at the coffin, "You have done well for George and South Africa."
The police investigation into the murder is continuing. Southern Cape Police spokesperson, Capt Bernadine Steyn said the investigation has been referred back to the Thembalethu Detective Branch from the Hawks. She declined to supply reasons for the referral apart from saying that the case fell under the Thembalethu Police's jurisdiction. Steyn said all leads were being followed up.
The new bus transport system for George was to be discussed at a council meeting yesterday. On Monday Standers said that the first buses were due to be delivered in July. Following the death of Queba, Standers remained hopeful that the first routes would become active during July. Standers said the operational road map for the transport network would soon be presented to council for consideration.
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Community leaders, pastors and evangelists on the stage in front of Queba's coffin. Second from left is Executive Mayor Charles Standers with Deputy Executive Mayor Daniël Maritz next to him.
Eve Queba, Tom Queba's wife, could not stop her tears at the funeral service. Eve's mother, Maria Stuurman, comforts her daughter.
Marilyn Stuurman-Pieterse (left) and Michelle Erasmus, both sisters of Tom Queba's wife, at the funeral service.
ARTICLE: CHRISTO VERMAAK, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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