Gauteng Police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo has confirmed that a 27-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the death of Karabo Mokoena
The charred remains of Mokoena, 22, was found on Saturday April 29‚ a day after she was reported missing‚ police said. The man, believed to be the boyfriend of the deceased identified as Sandile was arrested at his home in Sandton on Wednesday night, May 10 and will appear in the Johannesburg Central Magistrates Court on May 12 on a charge of murder.
Mokoena’s family reported her missing on April 28 at the Diepkloof police station‚ Captain Mavela Masondo told TimesLive on Thursday.
“The following day‚ the body of a female was discovered in Lyndhurst at a park but police who discovered the body had no idea that it was the same person who was reported missing the previous day‚” said Masondo.
So as Karabo’s family and friends took to social media‚ asking for any leads on the missing young woman‚ she may already have died.
“He was arrested on Wednesday night. He will appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court tomorrow‚” Masondo said. Karabo’s father‚ Tshepo Mokoena‚ had in the early hours of Thursday taken to Facebook to announce his daughters’ death.
“The boyfriend confessed. He killed and burned my daughter‚” Mokoena wrote.
Masondo‚ however‚ said forensic investigations were still being done to determine whether the body found was Karabo’s.
He would not confirm whether the man arrested for the crime had confessed as stated by Karabo’s family.
“He was arrested on Wednesday night. He will appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court tomorrow‚” Masondo said. Karabo’s father‚ Tshepo Mokoena‚ had in the early hours of Thursday taken to Facebook to announce his daughters’ death.The boyfriend confessed. He killed and burned my daughter‚” Mokoena wrote.
Masondo‚ however‚ said forensic investigations were still being done to determine whether the body found was Karabo’s.
He would not confirm whether the man arrested for the crime had confessed as stated by Karabo’s family.
Karabo’s friends have described her as a gentle soul who was passionate about women and child abuse.
“I think it was her way of finding healing from the things she had gone through‚” her friend‚ Matthew Mensah‚ told TimesLive. She was very committed and dedicated because you sometimes find people who say they are interested but never follow through‚” said Mensah.
Karabo had told him about how she found herself in an abusive relationship in the past.
“She said she had been through a lot of things and you could hear in her voice that whatever it was‚ was serious‚” said Mensah.
This had spurred Karabo to start planning the launch of her own non-governmental organisation to assist abused women.
Meanwhile, the Frida Hartley Shelter for destitute women and children in Hillbrow‚ which Karabo frequented‚ took to Instagram to honour her.
“Karabo Mokoena was passionate about working with women and she spent time with the ladies to hear their stories while sharing her journey‚” the organisation wrote
“Our hearts are shattered that you won’t be part of the events you helped us plan.You were a light that brought hope to us. We will miss your funny sense of humour and overall loving and caring spirit.” (LIB)