Zola Budd, Sisters Are Not Welcome at Father’s Funeral, Report Claims

The slain father of Zola Budd said in his will that his three daughters were not welcome at his funeral, which was scheduled for today, the South African Press Assn. reported.

Frank Budd, who had been estranged from his family for several years, was fatally shot Thursday at a farmhouse outside the central city of Bloemfontein, where he lived alone. A man doing construction work on the farm is being held in connection with the killing.

Budd’s former wife, Tossie, and their son, Quintus, were expected to be at the funeral, but it was not known if Zola and her sisters would attend, according to the news agency.

Frank Budd, did not attend his daughter’s April 15 wedding in Bloemfontein, saying he was not invited.

Zola Budd left South Africa in 1984 and was granted a British passport so she could compete in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. South Africa is barred from the Olympics and most international sports competition because of its policies of racial segregation.

Budd, 23, returned to South Africa in May 1988, suffering from what doctors said was “complete mental exhaustion.” She said she plans to forgo international competition and live in her homeland indefinitely.