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WEDNESDAY 2729 AUGUST 2014
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THE bereaved siblings of the deceased, Mantwa Seakhi, are from the left Masetoki Rasenyalo, Lucky and Seipati.
Photo: Teboho Setena
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DECEASED Mantwa Seakhi
Boyfriend kills provider Siblings left destitute and in need of money for funeral
} Teboho Setena THE tragic death of Mantwa Seakhi has left her surviving siblings, Masetoki Rasenyalo, Seipati and Lucky, with a feeling of abandonment. The deceased was allegedly killed by her long-standing boyfriend after she had decided to end their relationship. She was the sole provider in the family comprising her four orphaned siblings. Two of her surviving siblings, Lucky (13) and Seipati (23), were entirely dependent on the deceased at the time of her death. Masetoki (27) has since gone to live with her husband in Kutlwanong following their marriage. Masetoki said Mantwa had been taking care of them since their mother, Sophia Seakhi, had passed away in
2005. They live in a three-roomed shack in K9, Kutlwanong. The grief-stricken family is appealing for any help in order to give the deceased a dignified burial. The funeral has been planned for this weekend. “We are faced with the difficulty of burying Mantwa. What we have is not enough for the funeral service. Mantwa survived on temporary jobs and did people’s hair to provide for her siblings,” said Rebecca Seakhi, the deceased’s aunt. The 32-year-old Mantwa was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend, John Serotho Mahasela (35), who briefly appeared in the Odendaalsrus Magistrate’s Court last Thursday. Capt. Stephen Thakeng, spokesperson for the Welkom police, said the suspect would allegedly not accept the deceased’s decision to end their troubled relationship.
He said Mahasela had allegedly attacked the woman and had slit her throat with a knife. The suspect remains in custody until his next appearance for a bail application on 1 September. “Their affair had become more trouble than it was worth for my late sister. Of late he had also been assaulting her,” said a devastated Masetoki, the elder sister of the three surviving siblings. Masetoki said the deceased had been living in fear after an alleged death threat by the suspect. She said the deceased had not reported the assault to the police. “In June and July it became obvious that their relationship had reached breaking point. My sister’s heart was no longer in it,” said Masetoki. She added that in June the deceased had been admitted to a local hospital in Odendaalrus with severe head injuries
following an alleged brutal assault by the suspect. “My sister didn’t report that incident either because she feared for her life,” said Masetoki. According to her, Mahasela had been wanted by the police since July in connection with an alleged attempt to set fire to Masetoki’s house. Mahasela allegedly wanted to speak to the deceased who had refused to leave the house of her younger sister, Masetoki. “My sister Mantwa will be sorely missed. She was always there for us, playing the critical role of a mother after our mother’s death. She never abandoned us,” said Masetoki. ) People willing to help the siblings with a contribution for their sister’s funeral can call Rebecca Seakhi on 079-184-7742.