Ga-Kuranta, Tzaneen – The community of Ga-Kuranta, located outside Tzaneen in the Mopani district, is reeling following the tragic deaths of two pensioners, Gogo Maphetola Selaelo Rasodi (80) and mkhulu Malekutu Alfred Mokhupi (83). The couple were discovered murdered in their home on Tuesday, 18 March, in what police are investigating as a robbery gone wrong.
Police spokesman Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba confirmed that officers were called to the village following reports of a murder. Upon arrival, they found the bodies of the elderly couple in separate rooms. "Our members discovered an 83-year-old male tied with a rope on the neck while seated on the floor, and an 80-year-old female victim was also tied with a rope on the neck and both tied on the roof," Mashaba stated. Emergency Medical Services were called to the scene and certified both victims dead.
According to Mashaba, the victims' cellphones were missing. "Both the deceased didn't have visible injuries on their bodies. It's alleged that the deceased were in a relationship when they met their untimely death. Furthermore, the two cellphones belonging to the deceased were also robbed during the incident.”
The motive for the killings remains unknown, and police investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of death and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Residents of Ga-Kuranta have expressed their shock and grief at the loss of the beloved couple. Magdeline Rasekotla (56) described the pair as being inseparable. “The deceased lived in harmony with everyone in the village. We’d see them every day together in the yard. They were old and didn't deserve to die like that. We are shocked,” she said.
Kgomotso Ngobeni (31) shared that Gogo Selaelo was a maternal figure to many children in the village. “She mothered kids in this area. She was full of love and cared for everyone, particularly the kids. We knew her as a mother. She was a bit strict and didn't like unruly kids. The people who did this defeated us. We're deeply saddened.”
The families of the victims have requested time to grieve and have indicated that they will be able to speak to the media on Friday, 21 March. The investigation is ongoing.
