A sombre atmosphere filled the Bloemfontein City Hall on Sunday (1/6) as mourners gathered to bid farewell to Olorato Mongale (30), the Free State woman whose life was cut short in a brutal case of kidnapping and murder. Her tragic death is yet another reminder of the pervasive and devastating impact of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in South Africa.

The funeral of Olorato Mongale in Bloemfontein, who became a GBV victim. Photo: Joseph Mokoaledi

Free State Premier MaQueen Letshoha-Mathae delivered a heartfelt and impassioned address, voicing her anguish over the continued loss of lives, particularly of women, at the hands of perpetrators of gender-based violence.

“It is no exaggeration to say women in our country are under attack and indeed are afraid. They must be afraid! Who would not be when criminals have so evolved that they can casually kill women and dispose of their bodies like animals,” said Letshoha-Mathae.

She openly expressed her exhaustion at attending one funeral after another, each marking another life lost too soon.

“Early January, we were burying the soldiers from DRC, after we buried our former MEC William Kotsoane, then it was three constables. Before we healed, we lost Olorato,” she said, visibly moved. “As I stand here broken, Olorato brought back other memories – that we buried a lot of GBV victims.”Letshoha-Mathae listed the names of women and girls whose lives have similarly been claimed by GBV. “In today’s funeral, we remember Machaka Radebe, Disebo Mosupa, Mpho Judith Malosi, Sibongile Khumalo, Puseletso Sebata, Tsholofelo Sonia Ross, Amogelang Finger, Khetwhiwe Mpambule, Mosidi Mokwena, Sibongile Ngwana, and many others. Their voices are today silenced by the hand of a man.”

Mongalo’s body was discovered in Gauteng after she had been missing, her case sparking national outrage. Her death has become a symbol of the wider crisis plaguing women in South Africa – one where perpetrators continue to commit acts of violence with alarming frequency.

Olorato was remembered as a kind and compassionate soul, an angel who cared deeply for others. Her death has left an irreplaceable void in the lives of those who knew her.

The funeral was attended by family, friends, community leaders, and senior government officials, including Police Deputy Minister Shela Polly Boshielo, who provided an update on law enforcement’s efforts to tackle GBV.

Olorato’s mother, Poppy Mongale at the funeral. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

Boshielo acknowledged the pain felt by the Mongalo family and the nation.

“Police may not have been able to prevent the death of your child, but her family must rest assured that one of her perpetrators is in permanent custody and will never rise again to terrorise other women.”

She affirmed the government’s commitment to justice, noting that over the past year alone, police had arrested more than 19,000 GBVF perpetrators, with over 1,700 convicted to prison sentences ranging from 20 years to life.

“We will also not rest until we find Bongani Mthimkhulu,” referring to a suspect still at large.

“To Poppy and the family, may you find solace in knowing that because of Olorato’s spirit, Philangenkosi Makhanya will no longer terrorise women in South Africa.” Boshielo said while law enforcement plays a crucial role, communities must also step forward in the fight against GBVF.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg