🕊️ A Community in Mourning: Lethabo Mokonyane Matula Laid to Rest After Tragic Stabbing

🕊️ A Community in Mourning: Lethabo Mokonyane Matula Laid to Rest After Tragic Stabbing

MOURNERS gathered on Saturday, 28 June, for a moving funeral service.

The service was held at the home of 19-year-old Lethabo Mokonyane Matula in Extension 11, Mamelodi East, Tshwane.

Lethabo was laid to rest at Heatherly Cemetery in Mamelodi East.

He was tragically stabbed and killed outside Lesedi Secondary School at Lethabong informal settlement on Tuesday, 17 June 2025.

His brother Peter Mthombeni shared the family’s pain and determination to cope.

“We want the law to play its role. We are expecting a life sentence for those who killed Lethabo.”

He described Lethabo as a clever, disciplined, and God-fearing young man.

Lethabo’s friend Amogelang Mokgoba expressed her struggle with the loss.

“We are still traumatised. I think it’s the last time I will see him. He was a good friend.”

She admitted it was hard to attend the funeral, saying: “I wasn’t ready to come, thinking I would never see my friend again, and it tears me apart. I hope he gets justice. We have to be strong. I will always remember his jokes, smile, and energy. I will always remember my friend.”

Pupil Oratile Mogotlane (15), a classmate, revealed that Lethabo loved maths and business studies. Pupils remain traumatised after his death.

Simon Mojapelo, the principal at Lesedi Secondary School, said: “We made a call, we cried out loud to try and ask for help. I’m not standing here to point fingers at anyone because an incident of that nature can happen at any place at any time. The death of this kid should be a lesson, not only to our institution but to the entire community.”

He also noted ongoing safety concerns outside the school premises.

“It happened outside the schoolyard, a phenomenon that we have been talking about,” he said.

Gauteng Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that a case of murder has been opened.