The Free State Department of Social Development has dispatched a team to Koffiefontein to render psycho-social support to the grieve-stricken family of the late social worker, Jessica Nombulelo Michael (28). Mystery surrounds her death after her unexplained disappearance on Tuesday, 5 December.
Thembile Nqabeni, spokesperson for the department, said the team’s dispatch followed directives by Thabo Meeko, interim MEC for Social Development, upon hearing the news of Michael’s death.
“The MEC Meeko has sent heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of Michael in addition to the commitment of the department to support the bereaved family,” said Nqabeni.
Michael has been described as a young and vibrant social worker who positively impacted the lives of people in her hometown, Koffiefontein, in the Xhariep district. Nqabeni said Michael’s commitment was measured with her ability to handle cases of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), which is a serious challenge in South Africa.
“Michael joined the department in 2019, serving her community in Xhariep with dedication,” he said.
Details regarding her funeral are to be announced as the police are yet to provide a postmortem result that will reveal the cause of her mysterious death. The frantic search for Michael ended Monday, 11 December, after the police discovered her partly decomposed body, including her car at the Kalkfontein Dam located outside the town. She was reported missing on 6 December after she disappeared five days after attending a GBVF-related court case.
After teenager Machaka Radebe (16), Michael is the second woman this month whose search ended in tragedy. Two other women, Lerato Masiu (23) and Lesego Mamello Motaung (22), are still missing.
The teenager’s body was found on 4 December in an open field in Phase 9, Bloemfontein. Probing by the police has revealed Machaka was killed after an unknown man demanded an undisclosed ransom for her safe return to her home in Thakalekoala in Bloemfontein. According to the police, a passer-by discovered Radebe’s body at about 02:00.
“The department is very concerned about the increasing numbers of women and children being abducted and thoughtlessly murdered. We are further incensed that these vicious and barbaric acts of criminality occur despite the ongoing campaign of 16 days of no violence against women and children aimed to address the scourge,” said Nqabeni.
The police in the Free State have their hands full trying to resolve the cases and are yet to make a breakthrough in terms of arrest of any suspect, despite the clarion call that the public assist to trace culprits.
