Mathabo Hlalele visited the family of a woman, 20, who was allegedly raped and murdered in the early hours of Sunday morning (25/1). The perpetrator is allegedly someone close to the victim’s family.

Earlier that day, Bloemspruit police received a distress call about a scene in Phomolong informal settlement. A patrol vehicle was dispatched to attend, said Free State police spokesperson, Lt. Col. Thabo Covane.

On arrival, the police found the body of a woman lying on the ground. The lifeless body was reportedly undressed, the face was swollen, and there were visible strangulation marks on the victim’s neck.

“A case docket of murder with the suspicion of sexual assault was opened at Bloemspruit police station. Preliminary investigation started, and the victim was identified as Relebohile Makhore, 20, from Caleb Motshabi Square near Bloemfontein. 

“The deceased was last seen leaving the Boipatong tavern.”

Community fights GBVF

A male suspect, 35, was arrested on Monday at around 09:30 in Naledi Square, Phase 6, in Bloemspruit. He is expected to appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on murder and rape charges.

During her visit to the grieving family, Hlalele expressed frustration over the persistent rise in violence against women and children, noting in many cases, the perpetrators are known to the victims. She called on communities to continue playing an active role in fighting GBVF, urging different wards to establish and support non-profit organisations dedicated to preventing the killing of women and children.

“Women continuously march, pray and do (everything) possible to put an end to GBVF, but it doesn’t stop. It is truly sad,” Hlalele said.

Crime statistics for the 2024/25 financial year show a concerning increase in GBVF and related violent crimes in the Free State. The province recorded a rise in attempted murder cases and sexual offences.

During the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 period, the Free State was among the provinces, alongside Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, that experienced an increase in reported rape cases. The Free State department of social development has since reaffirmed its commitment to tackling the growing crisis of GBVF in the province.

“GBVF remains one of the most persistent human rights violations affecting women and children in South Africa. The Free State has been increasingly experiencing a rise in the number of GBVF cases,” said social development spokesperson Thembile Nqabeni.

Over the past year, women’s organisations and civil society groups have submitted multiple petitions calling for urgent and decisive intervention. 

In response, the department launched a roundtable initiative aimed at bringing together government institutions, community members and key stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in the fight against GBVF.

The surge in GBVF cases in the province has also been marked by an alarming increase in reports of missing women and girls, many of whom are later found brutally murdered, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated action and community involvement.

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OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi