Karabo funeral used as protest

MESSAGES of “no violence against women” took centre stage at a sombre and emotional funeral service for Karabo Mokoena at Diepkloof Multipurpose Centre in Soweto.

Hundreds of mourners gathered inside and outside the small hall yesterday, while a few men took turns to stand around Mokoena’s white casket carrying placards with messages of no violence against women.

One placard read: “No woman asks or dresses for rape. Man up and respect yourself.” Karabo’s sister, Bontle, delivered a tearful tribute to her young sibling, saying that she had lost a friend and her pillar of strength.

Mokoena’s badly burnt body was found dumped in a ditch in Bramley on April 29, a day after she was reported missing from her boyfriend’s apartment.

Her boyfriend, Sandile Mantsoe, is in custody and faces charges for allegedly killing her. – ANA