The family of two young cousins gunned down in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, is calling for a severe punishment for the accused killer. Tshiamo and Baleseng Moramaga were laid to rest in Limpopo amid widespread grief and anger over gender-based violence. Mourners urged the government to enhance protections for women and children.
On Saturday, hundreds of mourners gathered in Luckau village outside Groblersdal in Limpopo for the funeral of 22-year-old Tshiamo Moramaga and 21-year-old Baleseng Moramaga. The two cousins, described by their family as inseparable like twins, were fatally shot in Mamelodi East, Pretoria. The atmosphere was somber as tributes highlighted their close bond and bright futures cut short.
The bereaved family, through spokesperson Edward Moramaga, demanded justice. “We are calling for the government to show its existence in this case. We want justice to prevail. They arrested the suspect for this double murder, but we need a harsh sentence. It’s sad for us that we were looking forward to spending the festive season with the deceased and also seeing the schoolwork,” he said.
The 38-year-old suspect, Tebogo Mnisi, faces two counts of murder and other charges. He was remanded in custody by the Mamelodi magistrate’s court after abandoning his bail application last week. His next appearance is scheduled for January 19 next year.
Women at the funeral voiced deep concerns about safety amid rising violence. Helen Msiza stated, “The violence is too much; we feel like we are not protected. We feel like the government is failing us as women. We need to be safe with our children.” Nancy Skhosana added, “We need to be safe with our children. Our sisters, our children, and us, we are dying because of abusive men.” Girly Msiza appealed, “I’m appealing to the court; it should release that man to bring him to us as women. We just want to see him face to face and handle him and show other men that no one has the right to play upon our lives the way they are doing. They are killing us like cockroaches.”
Kgothatso Moloto, founder of the NPO Viia against gender-based violence, condemned possessive attitudes toward women. “Our hearts are broken and I believe the nation is also broken and we are saying justice for Tshiamo and justice for Baleseng... to men of South Africa, you do not own women just because you spend on her it does not mean you own her or she owe you anything,” she said.
Limpopo's MEC for Health, Dieketseng Mashego, addressed the crowd, emphasizing the need for a robust justice response. “As a province we are very much shocked about what had happened and our hearts are bleeding... we want to see this person being prosecuted we are saying South Africans enough is enough we want to do away with this killings.” The incident underscores ongoing struggles with gender-based violence in South Africa.