LEBOGANG Motswasele laid to rest.
Mmatau Village in North West was engulfed in sorrow as the community gathered to pay their final respects to Lebogang Caroline Motswasele, a mother of seven, who was reportedly axed to death by her ex-boyfriend on 28 February.
The funeral, held at Lebogang's home on Sunday, 8 March, the very place where her life was taken, saw hundreds of mourners come together, their grief palpable.
In a deeply moving tribute, Oupana Maselwane, the brother of the ex-boyfriend, expressed the shame and heartbreak his family felt over the tragedy.
"We as the Maselwane family are ashamed of what has happened to the Motswasele family. What happened has affected everyone," he said, his voice heavy with remorse.
Oupana revealed that earlier in the week, Lebogang confided in him about officially ending her relationship with his younger brother in the presence of a social worker. Concerned for her safety, he warned his brother to never set foot in the Motswasele household.
"My brother agreed at the time, but it later became clear he had been secretly stalking her, culminating in the horrific act that ended her life," he said.
He recalled a chilling moment after the attack: "When I called him, he said: 'Don't worry about that one, I dealt with her'. The next thing, he switched off his phone, leaving me in utter shock and despair, stunned that my brother showed no remorse," he said.
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The incident has left the community in shock and mourning.
Mishack Maboke, a resident, spoke of the urgent need to address violence against women.
He said the tragedy has reignited calls for urgent action against domestic violence and for justice for women across the country.
"We as men ask ourselves what is happening in our society. Men have turned into wild animals, attacking and killing women. We need to pray this is the end of the killing of women in our community and in South Africa," he said.
For Lebogang's family, the pain is unimaginable.
Her cousin, Simon Moatshe, described the heartbreak that now shadows their lives. During the funeral, he sang Tsepo Tshola's song, Bonang Sefapanong, dedicating it to her memory.
"We still don't understand why Lebogang was killed. She was brutally taken from us, and now her children are orphans," he said.
Lebogang was buried at Moswasele Cemetery in Mmatau Village.
