BLOEMFONTEIN – Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae has vowed that justice for Kgethang Kgotso Khaeane will not be delayed or derailed by influence, declaring firmly that his life matters. Delivering her tribute at Kgotso’s funeral on Saturday, the Premier pledged the provincial government’s unwavering support for the family’s pursuit of justice.

“We are going to make sure that justice for Kgotso is never delayed because of influence. We are going to ensure that everything goes according to law until justice is served. It should not be about who knows whom; what matters is that justice is obtained,” she said.

This firm stance for justice for Kgotso followed grave concerns raised by the community about whether justice will ever be done in his death. The circumstances surrounding his death are fraught with allegations of preferential treatment of the suspect involved and police inaction circulating on social media platforms.

Letsoha-Mathae has urged mourners to remember Kgotso not only for the manner in which he died, but also as a reminder that justice matters, and that leadership must stand with the vulnerable. “As the Premier of this province, I want every young person to hear me clearly: your life matters, your dreams matter, your safety matters, your future matters. The Free State cannot become a province where young people lose confidence that the law will protect them. We cannot build a prosperous province while fear replaces hope,” she said.

“We call upon those entrusted with public office to exercise authority with integrity, humility, and accountability. Every generation is called upon to protect these values. Government has a responsibility to stand with the family of Khaeane, not to interfere with the work of law enforcement, not to pronounce guilt, but to reassure every resident of this province that our constitution remains our guidance, that justice belongs to every citizen and no one is above the law; this is not simply a constitutional obligation, it is a moral obligation,” said Letsoha-Mathae.

Kgotso’s mother Mapheello shared fond memories of her son in a special message: “You became my doctor and my nurse when I was undergoing a back operation. You made sure I was taken care of, every day you cooked my meals, gave me treatment on time. You never became impatient with me, you eagerly responded when I called you. I will always remember you, I will always remember that smile, good laughter, not forgetting respect for everyone. You were also a role model to your nephew Keorapetse, please keep on taking care of us even though you are gone. I do not know how I am going to cope without you, only God knows. Please Kgotso, go rest in peace, my boy, I will always love you, I will always thank God for giving me the opportunity to raise you, such a sweet soul.”

Also read: Suspect in Khaeane’s death comes forth as calls for justice intensify