Rita Odafe
Authorities have taken three individuals, aged 20 to 22, into custody in connection with the tragic murder of 17-year-old Koketso Ramahlo in South Africa.
Koketso’s charred remains were found on the streets near her home in Hammanskraal, Gauteng, on New Year’s Day.
The suspects are scheduled to appear in court on January 7, facing charges of murder, as reported by SAPS district spokesperson Warrant Officer Marinda Austin.
Her family is devastated by the incident, expressing confusion about whether Koketso had gone to celebrate with her boyfriend on the night she died.
Koketso’s mother, Nkhenthani Ramahlo, was too heartbroken to talk to the press, but family friend Julia Mkhari shared her feelings on her behalf.
“The pain she is enduring is palpable, and I am deeply affected by it as well,” Mkhari stated.
Mkhari recounted that Koketso had gone out with friends to ring in the new year but returned home briefly to change clothes before heading out again.
When Koketso failed to return, her family began searching for her on January 2.
The following day, January 3, Koketso’s grandmother discovered her lifeless and partially burnt body in the street nearby.
The family confirmed the identity of the deceased, stating she was found without clothing.
“The family is still reeling from the shock; we are deeply saddened and never thought something like this could happen to us,” Mkhari expressed.
In light of the tragedy, community members held a meeting on Friday and decided to arrange a manhunt for the suspected killer.
Community leader Bulo Dinokeng urged locals to remain calm and avoid taking vigilante action, despite the community’s justified anger over the incident.
“At this stage, we don’t know who the perpetrator is, and speculation about the killer’s identity is premature,” he remarked.
