Police find charred body of girl, 15, in North West

Karabo’s family still reeling in shock, disbelief in the manner she was killed.

WHILE the nation still mourns the tragic death of Karabo Mokoena, North West police yesterday announced the discovery of the charred body of a 15-year-old girl.

The girl’s body was found yesterday in Jouberton after she went missing on Saturday.

Police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, said the girl apparently left her home on Friday to visit a friend. He said her identity could not be revealed as her family was yet to be informed of her discovery. “No one has been arrested, but investigations are under way,” he said.

This horrific discovery comes in the wake of Mokoena’s tragic death which has sparked a nationwide outcry, focusing on the abuse of women and children.

Her ex-boyfriend Sandile Mantsoe has appeared in court, charged with premeditated murder and defeating the ends of justice for allegedly killing and burning her corpse.

During Social Development MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza’s visit to Mokoena’s home yesterday, her uncle, Tshepo Mokoena, said Karabo was due to give a talk on the importance of grooming young men to be better members of society.

Tshepo said he was due to launch a programme called “Boys to Men” on July 3, which aims at developing and rehearsing gender equitable attitudes and related violent behaviours.

“Karabo was meant to be a part of it as a speaker. She said she wanted to come and speak to the boys about how they should behave and how to say no to certain things,” Tshepo said.

“It pains me today that [she] can’t be part of that. Maybe it’s about time that we as men should stand up and talk to our young boys to say that if a girl says no, you must just walk away.

“It’s not just about government, it’s also about us as men.”

He said the family was still reeling in shock and disbelief in the manner that their daughter was killed.

“Women are strong human beings, they will always stand up and they will always talk. But we as men always encourage each other when another man is going through hardships, but we must now start going to women and ask them how can we start working together,” he said.

He said he cannot believe that he and his family have been subjected to the same ills that they preached against.

“I am hurting because all the things I have been preaching in Boys to Men has happened to me and has hit me right in the face – But I will now stand in the forefront and work harder to tackle these issues. We must tell our boys that no is no,” Tshepo said.