Another memorial service and protest will be held today Z Wednesday, 26 June Z for another ruthlessly murdered woman, Judith Mpho Moalasi (41). She is the latest victim to the growing list of lives lost to brutal killings.
Moalasi’s killing has sparked public outrage, denouncing the violent nature in which she was murdered.
A women’s rights advocacy group in Bloemfontein will protest today, at the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court, opposing the bail application of suspect Steven Sejakane, set to reappear regarding the murder of Moalasi, who was a teacher.
The protest is part of the effort to add weight to the clarion call for the South African criminal justice system to act decisively against perpetrators of gender-based violence (GBV).
The suspect, believed to be the victim’s lover, allegedly ran over Moalasi’s body multiple times at the crime scene near the G4S Mangaung Prison.
It is believed that she was murdered on Sunday, 16 June.
Sgt. Mahlomola Kareli, spokesperson for the provincial police, said Moalasi had been reported as missing earlier, at the Kagisanong Police Station.
According to a post on social media, a memorial service for Moalasi will be held at the Tsoseletso High School in Bloemfontein.
The Free State Department of Basic Education (DBE) stated she started working at the school in 2020, teaching Gr. 10 and Gr. 11.
According to Howard Ndaba, spokesperson for the department, Moalasi’s colleagues described her as a hard-working, dedicated and disciplined teacher, who went the extra mile in performing her duties.
“The department wishes to renew calls to stop gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
“The DBE sees these unacceptable acts of explicit and subliminal violence committed on girl learners and female educators on a daily basis,” said Ndaba.
The reaction to Moalasi’s killing is in reference to the fate of other victims of abuse within the province. These are Dolly Maitumeleng Lebetsa from Botshabelo, and learners Thato Tumahole from Welkom and Sibongile Portia Ngwana from Bloemfontein.
Lebetsa was allegedly doused with petrol and burnt alive by her husband, who accused her of taking transport money in July last year.
The pair of Ngwana and Tumahole had their bodies set ablaze after being murdered in November last year and on 22 May, respectively.
Ngwana’s charred remains were discovered in an open veld near the M10 road in Bloemfontein in January, while that of Tumahole, a Gr. 12 learner at the Welkom High School, were found at an abandoned mine shaft in Welkom.
The two suspects linked to Ngwana’s murder reappeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on 18 June. They are Thabang Matekane (27) and Lefu Lebeea (33).
The duo are from Lesotho and have been remanded in custody since their arrest in January this year.
The suspect linked to Tumahole’s murder, Mamello Katleho Seape (22), is facing charges of murder and kidnapping.
He is set to reappear in the Welkom Magistrates’ Court on 12 July after abandoning his bail application during his appearance on Friday, 7 June.
- Shortly before BloemExpress went to print, it was confirmed that the body of a woman found near the Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium in Botshabelo on Monday was that of Tsholofelo Sonia Rowles (23) from Turflaagte, Bloemfontein.
