South Africa: The seven victims of a violent attack at a farm in Kestell were laid to rest today, 23 July 2022.
Nokufa Portia Monareng (30), Lerato Julia Moloi (33), Mothoduwa Paulina Moloi (36), Nomasonto Christina Zulu (56), Nomasontsha Topsy Maduna, (43), Binto Smith (55) and Rudi Smith, the 17 year old son of Binto Smith were murdered, allegedly by Kamohelo Motankisi and Lerato Selepe.
Minister for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza joined Premier of the Free State province Sefora Ntombela at the service.
Minister Didiza said those responsible for the crime robbed the country of productive members of the community.
“These are the people who ensured that South Africans have food. By killing them, the murderers took from us people who worked the land and ensured that there is sufficient food in the country,” she said.
Premier Ntombela decried the callous manner in which the victims were killed.” They were actually killed for nothing. These killings must stop because our country is losing valuable people.
We now have orphaned children because of this crime. In their wake, these criminals left devastation, and a community is struggling to make sense of this crime.
They have left in their path of destruction orphans. Only life imprisonment for thugs behind this crime will be acceptable. Even that doesn’t seem harsh enough,” Premier Ntombela said.
She said the only positive from the killings was that the community was now united.
“The blood of the victims, which drenched the soil where the victims fell, has created an ever-lasting bond which will unite them for many years to come,” she said.
The Premier was also joined by MECs Tshidi Koloi, Makalo Mohale and the Speaker of the Free State Legislature, Zanele Sifuba.
