The Makhura family bid a sad farewell on Saturday to their daughter and grandchild, who were found dead in a room in Nellmapius.
Itumeleng Beverly Makhura (31) and her daughter Tshepang (11) were laid to rest in Heatherly cemetery.
The funeral was attended by hundreds of community members, youth organisations, school learners, family members, and the ANC Women’s League.
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The search for Makhura came to a tragic end last Sunday evening when she was found dead under her boyfriend’s bed.
Her daughter was found dead on top of the same bed in Dimakatso street, Nellmapius, where the mother’s boyfriend and father of the child, Kenneth Debeila Majozi (31), lived.
Family spokesperson Lettie Mosotho said the family would like to thank the community for the support they have given the bereaved family.
“Community members and school children came in their numbers to bid farewell to our child and grandchild,” said Mosotho.
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“However, we are not happy with how police handled the case by not doing a proper search in the boyfriend’s room.
“We are still waiting for the suspect to be arrested,” said Mosotho.
The mother and daughter were very young to have lost their lives. Gender-based violence had to come to an end, especially when it affected a child, a Grade 6 learner who had a bright future ahead of her and a young mother who still had many things to do and places to go, she said.
Another Grade 6 learner, Tumelo Sekwakwa from Nellmapius primary school, bid farewell to her classmate and friend by reciting a poem.
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She pleaded with the government and the community to protect women and children by fighting gender-based violence.
Dipuo Manganye, a close friend of the late Itumeleng Beverly Makharu, described her as a loving person who was loved in the community.
She encouraged the family to stay strong and pleaded with the police to do their job and find the perpetrator.
Other community members pleaded for unity within the community and asked that people help each other.
The first step was to break the silence if they knew someone in an abusive relationship.
Makhura went missing after she was last seen with her boyfriend at the Joe Babanana tavern.
A search was launched after an alarming discovery was made.
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The body of Itumeleng’s daughter Tshepang was found on a bed at the boyfriend’s home in Dimakatso street.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Isaac Mculu said the girl’s lifeless body was found by members of the community and family who had been desperately searching for her mother.
“After the discovery of the child, a missing person’s case was opened for the mother,” Mculu said.
Later on, while police were searching for Itumeleng, the community and family members made another gruesome discovery when they found her dead under the same bed.
“The motive for the killings is unknown, and a case of murder is being investigated,” Mculu said.
“A search has been launched for the woman’s boyfriend, who was last seen leaving the house carrying bags at about 08:00 on 20 March before the bodies were found,” Mculu said.
Itumeleng Makhura and her daughter Tshepang will be missed by parents David and Flora Makhura, sister Bonolo, younger brother Dimpho, son Tshiamo and community members, friends, and fellow school learners.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the police on 0800 10111/012 845 4000. 
