South African rain queen laid to rest after 11th hour tension over fire

South African rain queen laid to rest after 11th hour tension over fire

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - South African rain queen Makobo Modjadji was laid to rest as tensions in the royal Balobedu household following her death rose further over a fire that broke out in the house where her coffin was placed.

Sources in the northern Limpopo province said there was "trouble" over which faction in the royal family would arrange the funeral of the monarch, the latest in a dynasty of rain queens revered for their apparent powers to conjure up showers.

Limpopo police said firefighters were called late Sunday to a house in the royal Modjadji complex near the northern city of Polokwane and rescued the coffin of the queen from a fire.

"Firefighters were there and the coffin was brought out without any damage. We are still investigating the cause of the fire but it's too early to comment," said Limpopo police spokesman James Ngoepe.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20050620/en_afp/safricaroyalfuneral_050620144947