‘Funny’ Mamelodi man dies in tragic attack
Thato Mokotedi, affectionately known as “Boonga” died on Friday morning and his family do not know what exactly happened.
Family and friends of a 34-year-old Mamelodi man who was attacked and killed under mysterious circumstances, are mourning his tragic death.
Thato Mokotedi (34) from section 14 in Mamelodi East, affectionately known as “Boonga”, died on Friday morning, but his family do not know what exactly happened.
It is believed Mokotedi and some friends travelled to Kwa-Mhlanga, Mpumalanga, last week Thursday when Mokotedi was attacked by a group of people.
No one knows what led to the attack, but Mokotedi was taken to the Mamelodi hospital after the attack.
The following day he succumbed to his injuries.
Mamelodi East police spokesperson, Constable Lethabo Mashiloane said police were investigating an inquest docket to establish the facts surrounding Mokotedi’s death.
He said while information at hand was that it was a mob justice-related incident, investigations would determine the exact cause.
“The suspects are unknown at this point,” he said.
Thato’s father Sello told Rekord the family was informed by his friends that their son had passed on.
“The people he had left with came to our house to inform us that he was at the Mamelodi hospital,” he said.
“We then went to the hospital to identify his body and found that it was in fact him.
“It’s very hard for us as a family, it’s bad. We can’t take it. We don’t know what happened for him to die this way.”
Sello said Thato’s mother was struggling to come to terms with her son’s death and was still confused about what actually transpired.
He said he was hoping the investigations would yield results and help the family get closure.
He described his son as a soft spoken person, who loved joking around.
“He loved cooking. He would make us omelets and all sort of stuff,” Sello said.
“He was a chef.”
Friends and acquaintances recalled Thato’s jolly personality as they battled to come to terms with his passing.
“He was one of the funniest guys I’ve met. He really was a good person full of laughter and most of all his dancing moves were funny that’s what I loved about him,” Deliwe Khoza said.
“My daughter Princess was very fond of him. Thato had a tendency of asking my daughter to teach him how to dance and that’s how they bonded.
“We are hurt by his passing and he will be missed.”
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Thato would have celebrated his 35th birthday on February 25, a day the family never imaged they would spend without him.
Another friend, Martin Mokhothu said Thato’s death left a void in his heart
“He was my best friend, I have known him since our days in school,” he said.
“He was not a violent person at all. He loved dancing.
“A very kind man, ambitious and wise. A forever happy soul, he was loved by many in the community.”
Thato will be laid to rest on Thursday at the Heatherly cemetery.
He leaves behind two children aged 15 and 7.
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