Heartbreak in Limpopo: Slain Mamelodi Cousins Laid to Rest Amid Grief and Unanswered Questions
Family, friends, and members of the Luckau village community gathered on Saturday to bid a final farewell to two young cousins, Tshiamo (22) and Baleseng Moramaga (21), who were brutally shot and killed in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, last week. Their funeral, held in Luckau village outside Groblersdal, Limpopo, was marked by sorrow, disbelief, and calls for justice.
The two cousins’ bodies were discovered early last Sunday morning, sending shockwaves through both their Limpopo hometown and the Mamelodi community where the incident occurred. What began as a normal weekend turned into a tragedy that has left a lasting scar on their family.
The accused, 38-year-old Tebogo Mnisi, appeared before the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court earlier this week. He has since been remanded in custody while police investigations continue. Authorities have not yet disclosed a clear motive behind the killings, but community members suspect it may have stemmed from a personal dispute.Family games
Speaking at the funeral, family spokesperson Edward Moramaga expressed the deep pain and confusion the family continues to feel.
“When we heard about this incident, it evoked strong emotions. We’re having trouble sleeping at night, and our emotions are running high. It’s painful, and it’s even more painful because we’re told it was done by one person. We keep asking ourselves how someone could take both their lives,” he said.
The funeral service was filled with emotional tributes celebrating the lives of Tshiamo and Baleseng. Friends described them as “humble, respectful, and full of dreams for the future.” Their untimely deaths have devastated their parents and siblings, who are struggling to come to terms with the senseless act of violence that robbed them of their loved ones.
Community leaders attending the funeral called on authorities to ensure that justice is served swiftly. They also urged the youth to resolve disputes peacefully rather than resorting to violence. “We cannot keep losing young lives in such brutal ways,” said one elder. “It’s time we teach our young people that life is sacred.”
The Mamelodi East community has witnessed a worrying increase in violent crimes over recent months, with residents expressing fear and frustration over the lack of safety in the area. The latest killings have reignited calls for stronger police visibility and more proactive crime prevention strategies.
As the Moramaga family laid their sons to rest, a heavy silence hung over the gravesite. The pain was evident in the tears of mothers, the bowed heads of friends, and the trembling voices of pastors who prayed for comfort and healing.Family games
While the burial brings some closure, the emotional wounds remain deep. The family says they will continue to seek justice for Tshiamo and Baleseng, hoping that their deaths will not be in vain but instead serve as a reminder of the urgent need to end violence in South African communities.