Family repatriates daughter’s body

After almost two months, the Sebetlela family has repatriated the body of their daughter, who passed away in the United States of America.

In 2012, Lerato Rachel Sebetlela (33) moved to America for a job opportunity and furthered her studies at Waldorf University. While there, Lerato always remained in communication with her family. She is described as a God-fearing, respectful and loving woman who cared for people and had a passion for academics.

Jacob Sebetlela, Lerato’s father, emphasised that in everything that Lerato did, she always wanted to make her parents proud. Over the years while she was overseas, Lerato always made sure to check on her family in Ikageng.

It became a routine that she made time for a phone or video chat with her family every Sunday night. In mid-July, the family suddenly stopped receiving calls from her and assumed that she was busy. When they tried to reach her, however, their calls went unanswered. As time passed, the family and her friend became worried and knew something was wrong. After many efforts, her friend eventually opened a missing person’s case.

On 24 September, the family was informed of her death. According to the Fairfield Citizen, a local newspaper, two people were arrested in connection with Lerato’s death in Waterbury USA. “Detectives obtained warrants for 22-year-old Miles Johnson and 23-year-old Casandra Nazario in connection with Sebetlela’s death,” the Fairfield Citizen reports. Both were charged with murder.

The family started with the preparations to transfer her body back home to Potchefstroom, where she was recently buried.

The Sebetlela family communicated with the SAPS, which took up the matter with the US embassy. The family began conversing with the embassy, which also connected them with the relevant contacts and organisations like the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco).

Due to the time differences and various channels they had to work through, the process was long. They had many sleepless nights, but, as a unit, they were determined to get Lerato’s body back home. The Sebetlela family says patience, prayer and unity are the main things that got them through the process.

Knowing their daughter is back at home has brought them comfort. They wish to thank everyone, companies, organisations, funeral homes and embassies for their assistance in bringing their daughter home to receive a proper send-off. The family further encourage parents or guardians to research and make sure they are aware of the different options and policies in various companies or organisations before a child goes abroad.

Lerato was buried on Wednesday, 11 November.