For many Black communities, a burial is not just a ceremony; it is sacred. It’s a spiritual duty to bury your loved one and restore their dignity as they transition into the after life. Being present allows us to find closure. So when we look at the case of Dr Nandipha Magudumana, it brings us to a complex and uncomfortable question. Even as an accused person facing serious charges, does she still deserve the right to fulfil that sacred duty and attend her mother’s funeral? Some would argue that compassion, or botho, is a fundamental part of who we are. That dignity should not be stripped away, even in the face of alleged wrongdoing. Others feel that extending such compassion risks sidelining the pain of victims and their families, who are still waiting for justice and accountability. So have we leaned too heavily on the idea of botho? Or is this exactly where it matters most; in how we treat people at their lowest, even when it’s difficult? We are in conversation with Political and Social Commentator,  Lethlogonolo Mosuwe as we unpack whether justice for the victims and humanity for the accused can truly co-exist? And if so, what does that balance look like in practice?