Kwa-Thema – A grieving mother says she is still in the dark about what led to the death of her 20-year-old son, who was allegedly stabbed during a confrontation outside Phulong Secondary School on March 3.
Rethabile Mafereka (20) was a former learner at the school. His mother, Maseara Mafereka (42), says details around her son’s death are unclear.
“I saw my son that morning and I was actually angry at him over something petty. We worked together every morning, frying fat cakes. We went to sell as usual and parted ways; he went to his place,” she said.
Maseara explained that individuals later arrived at her residence to fetch her, saying those individuals recognised her son’s body outside Phulong. When she arrived at the scene, Maseara claimed that her son was lying in a pool of blood, covered with a blanket.
“I asked to see him so I could identify if it was him or not. It was indeed him. I could not believe that my son had truly lost his life like that,” explained Maseara.
She expressed confusion, saying no one had explained to her what truly happened that day.
“Rethabile’s friends have been coming to offer words of comfort and, according to them, they said the boy who allegedly stabbed him had recently taken a cap belonging to Rethabile from his younger brother when the confrontation happened.
“They also did not see how the stabbing occurred. They claim they only realised something had happened when Rethabile fell to the ground,” she expressed.
Maseara described her son as a kind and quiet young man who was full of life. He also loved Maskandi music. She said her fondest moment with him was the little things he did for her out of kindness, and she expanded on why she was angry with him on the day of the incident.
“I was angry that he bought cooking oil without telling me. I wanted to buy 20 litres, but he bought 5 litres instead,” said Maseara.
Maseara cited that she does not wish anyone the amount of pain that she is currently facing. She said no one deserves to lose their children the way that she has lost hers.
“Both my parents are still alive along with all eight of their children. We have never lost anyone in this manner. Worse, the police have never spoken to me nor explained what is going on. I am clueless and in so much pain. Over and above that, if the boy who did this is not arrested or charged with murder, I hope he gets the help he needs so that he never harms or kills anyone else,” she said.
Maseara said that all she wants now is to give her son a dignified funeral in Lesotho. The funeral will be held on March 21. Ekurhuleni SAPS district spokesperson Captain Neldah Sekgobela confirmed the incident.
Rethabile Mafereka was described as a kind and quiet young man. Photo: Supplied
“It is alleged that on March 3 at about 14:30, the victim was on his way to Phulong Secondary School to confront a learner in a fight,” said Sekgobela.
“The school had already closed at 14:00. The learner had left the school and the victim was waiting for him. The two males then fought and both were allegedly armed with knives,” she said.
Sekgobela stated that the learner stabbed the victim multiple times. The victim was still alive when police arrived on the scene.
“The victim gave the police the name of the person who stabbed him,” added Sekgobela.
The suspect, who is a minor, was traced and found. A Child Justice Act process was conducted, where he appeared in court on March 4 for a preliminary session.
The matter was postponed to March 5 for appearance. Sekgobela said the suspect is not in custody at this moment.
“The court requested that the investigation be finalised before the suspect appears in court, as there are still statements that need to be attached to the case,” she said.
Rethabile Mafereka was killed during an alleged fight outside the school. Photo: Supplied
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