BOPHELONG – Schalk Mokoena (80) went missing on Tuesday, November 14 when he was last seen standing at his gate before attending his doctor’s appointment.
His disappearance remained a mystery as the old man left his valuables on the day of his disappearance, including his bicycle and spectacles, which he never left behind every day.
Despite reporting him missing to the authorities as a missing person, posting his images on all social media platforms, and starting a search party for the old man, he was never traced.
A week later, on Saturday, November 18, one of his 20 grandchildren received a call that a possible madala lookalike was found in a quarry somewhere in Parys hacked to death and the family should identify him.
When the family went to identify the body in one of the Free State mortuaries, they found the madala in a disturbing condition.
Speaking to Ster South, family spokesperson, Tsatsi Mokoena (42) shared details of how his old men went missing.
“On Monday, Ntate went to his doctor in the civic center and was supposed to go again the following day. He was last seen outside the gate before his departure for his doctor’s visit. Only on Wednesday, his great-grandchild reported to the family that Ntate didn’t sleep at home,” he said.
“We reported him missing and days later, we received a call that the old man was in Baragwanath and the family elders went there and found out it wasn’t him. Our hopes were dampened. We received another call on Saturday that we should come and identify another body found in a quarry in Parys,” he said.
Tsatsi said the family is still reeling and can’t accept the situation as they are left with dozens of unanswered questions.
“Our family remains shaken by this gruesome act. Our wish is to see justice for him and his killers behind bars. Anyone with information of what happened to the old man, we would gladly appreciate any information that will help us piece together what transpired to him,” he said.
Describing the old man, Tsatsi said the old man was a straight talker and loved by many.
“He was a humble soul, and popular in the community. He was a father of the nation because he raised many of the children in the community. I still don’t understand why would someone do this to him,” he said.
Palesa Mokoena (39), a grandchild to madala “My grandfather used to take his wallet, he wore his glasses everywhere he went with his bicycle. What we don’t understand is that all his important valuables are in the house. He couldn’t go anywhere without his spectacles and bicycle.”
