'She must have been beautiful even in death‚' says Karabo's father

Karabo Mokoena’s father‚ Thabang‚ would remember his daughter as a brave‚ confident and beautiful woman.

This was revealed by her father’s friend‚ Raisaka Masebelanga‚ who spoke on behalf of her father at Karabo’s funeral at the Diepkloof Multipurpose Centre on Friday.

“I sat down with him yesterday and drew from him these words. He sighed a deep sigh and said it has been over 22 days since by daughter died‚” said Masebelanga.

“He said… even in death‚ she must have been beautiful and that is why what happened to her happened‚” he added.

• Family, friends gather to say farewell to Karabo MokoenaThe funeral service of Karabo Mokoena got under way at the Diepkloof Multipurpose Centre in Soweto on Friday morning. 

Karabo was found burnt beyond recognition in a ditch in Lyndhurst on April 29.

A tyre had been placed around her body and she had been doused with petrol and set alight.

Her boyfriend‚ Sandile Mantsoe‚ is alleged to have been behind her brutal murder.

He has been charged with premeditated murder and defeating the ends of justice.

Masebelanga said Karabo’s father asked that a message be sent to young women.

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“They must take responsibility‚” he said.

“He said let them choose carefully who they interact with. If it is someone that is going to cause them to be insecure‚ let them leave that person alone‚” Masebelanga said.

One of the things that Karabo’s father would miss about her would be their shared sense of music.

“She is and always be a star‚” Karabo’s father said.

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As Masebelanga spoke‚ a group of men from the Hope Restoration Ministries in Kempton Park walked into the hall‚ carrying placards denouncing violence against women.

The group stood in silence next to Karabo’s white coffin‚ which was laden with white flowers.

Karabo is expected to be laid to rest at the Westpark Cemetery later on Friday.