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31 August, 2012
BEAT
Page 3
Front page story...
Children from the Mantadi drop-in-centre came to pay their last respect their late friends. Photo: Mzamane Ringane
Mookgophong Mayor Ms Sarah Monyamane (from left), Premier Cassel Mathale’s wife Ms Mokgadi Mathale, Waterberg District Executive Mayor Ms Rosina Mogotlane and Member of the parliament, Ms Maggie Mashishi, attended the funeral of three Mookgophong children who were mercilessly killed two weekends ago. Photo: Mzamane Ringane
Mookgophong community mourns children’s murders Mzamane Ringane The first lady of Mookgophong, Ms Sarah Monyamane, has expressed her shock following the gruesome killing of three children, whose lives were taken by a “faceless and heartless” murderer two weekends ago. Monyamane said that the community of Mookgophong would continue to live in fear, until the perpetrator is brought to book. The mayor called on residents to join hands and work closely with the police to assist in apprehending the person behind the merciless killings. She also pleaded with the family and members of the community not to point fingers at each other, and further assured them that the police would work around the clock to bring the killer to justice. Monyamane sent a message to Premier Cassel Mathale, through his wife Ms Mokgadi Mathale who attended the burial service. She pleaded with the Premier to send experts from the provincial level of the SAPS to assist in cracking this case.
Waterberg District Executive, Ms Rosina Mogotlane, assured terrified Limpopo residents that the police would leave no stone unturned. Mogotlane indicated that they were confident that the perpetrator(s) would be caught soon. The mayor thanked AVBOB Funeral Services for helping the family bury their loved ones at no cost. The business community in Mookgophong had also played an important role by providing food and other necessities for the funeral. The taxi industry offered some of their minibuses to assist in the transportation of the schoolchildren, with Desiree van der Walt, of the DA, contributing by paying for transport of schoolchildren to the cemetery. The Limpopo Premier ’s wife, Ms Mokgadi Mathale, spoke with a heavy heart that it was very sad to see this nature of incident happening 18 years after democracy. Mathale said that the 20 000
The Holy Spirit Healing and Miracles Church from Hammanskraal visited Bela Bela to spread the Word of God on Saturday, 25 August. The church partnered with the Living Word Bible Church in Bela Bela to give the local community, especially the youth, a message of support. Head pastors from these church Mr Mpho Monareng and Mr Success Sekete were guest preachers and the Hammanskraal choir sang songs of praise and worship. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
women who marched to the union buildings in 1956 wanted to see their children enjoy better lives. She said it was distressing to see this kind of incident happening to innocent children. Mathale appealed with the Mantadi dropin-centre not to lose hope and to continue with their good work in taking care of vulnerable children. She also emphasised that the person behind the gruesome killings would be arrested soon. The funeral service of Johanna Kekana (12), Hosea Richard Kekana (9) and Bafana Gilbert Kekana (10), was held at Mookgophong Sports Ground before they were laid to rest at the Mookgophong Cemetery on Saturday, 25 August. The three were learners at Dikubu Primary School and they were sheltered at
the Mantadi Drop-In Centre. The children were found murdered two weekends ago in the nearby bush, with their hands tied with shoelaces. The incident followed a march where schoolchildren and other members of the community formed part of the demonstration rally to the Department of Education circuit office. The marched served to demand placement of an English teacher at the school, among other grieves. AFM Gospel Choir, Lesedi Brass Band, Ikokobetseng Gospel Group and Gospel sensation Peter Mabula comforted the family and the heartbroken community with soothing gospel tunes. Members of Working On Fire, who work relentlessly to serve the community, led the procession to the cemetery, chanting liberation songs.