Family, friends gather to say farewell to Karabo Mokoena

19 May 2017 - 11:07 By Naledi Shange
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The casket arrives at the funeral service of Karabo Mokoena at the Diepkloof Multipurpose Centre in Soweto on Friday morning.
The casket arrives at the funeral service of Karabo Mokoena at the Diepkloof Multipurpose Centre in Soweto on Friday morning.
Image: Alaister Russell/Sunday Times

The funeral service of Karabo Mokoena got under way at the Diepkloof Multipurpose Centre in Soweto on Friday morning.

Mourners rose to their feet as Karabo’s white coffin was wheeled into the hall.

Her parents‚ siblings and other relatives walked behind it as a soft gospel tune played in the background.

  • Karabo’s uncle says mothers shouldn’t allow their children to be controlled by menThe uncle of slain Karabo Mokoena has warned mothers not to allow their children to be controlled by men. 

Among those present at the service were minister for women Susan Shabangu and Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi.

Karabo was found dead on April 29.

  • 'She must have been beautiful even in death‚' says Karabo's fatherKarabo Mokoena’s father‚ Thabang‚ would remember his daughter as a brave‚ confident and beautiful woman. 

Her charred remains were found in a ditch behind a park in Lyndhurst.

Her family‚ however‚ had continued to search for her‚ circulating her picture on social networks for two weeks‚ unaware that she had already died.

  • Karabo died because her confidence couldn't be killed – Bathabile DlaminiKarabo Mokoena’s killer knew he could not kill her confidence and decided to kill her instead‚ social development minister Bathabile Dlamini said on Friday. 

Her boyfriend‚ Sandile Mantsoe‚ has been arrested in connection with her murder.

The 27-year-old forex trader has been charged with premeditated murder and defeating the ends of justice.

Mourners were handed pink and white funeral programmes‚ which displayed pictures of the young woman.

According to her obituary‚ Karabo matriculated from The Hill High School.

  • Karabo the victim of 'terrible battering' but unbowedThe "spiritual mother" of murder victim Karabo Mokoena revealed yesterday that the 22-year-old had on one occasion come to her "completely battered".

She began her tertiary education at Regenesys Business School in 2015. She obtained an aviation licence at AAFSA.

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