He was full of joy, then he was killed: dad describes Thorisho’s final hours

In the corner of slain Thoriso Themane’s bedroom is a set of brand-new speakers he only got to touch once, before he was beaten up and left for dead just metres from his home.

Pastor Mahlapahlana Themane with the drums his son, Thorisho, used to play before he was killed in Flora Park, Polokwane.
Pastor Mahlapahlana Themane with the drums his son, Thorisho, used to play before he was killed in Flora Park, Polokwane. (Masi Losi)

In the corner of slain Thorisho Themane’s bedroom is a set of brand-new speakers he only got to touch once, before he was beaten up and left for dead just metres from his home.

His father, Pastor Mahlapahlapana Themane, 59, described his son’s joyful hours before he died, after receiving the gift he had so badly wanted for such a long time.