Murder of Karabo Mokoena
| Murder of Karabo Mokoena | |
|---|---|
| Location | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Date | April 28, 2017 |
| Victim | Karabo Mokoena |
| Perpetrator | Sandile Mantsoe |
| Motive | Gender-based violence |
| Convictions |
|
Karabo Mokoena (27 March 1995 – 28 April 2017) was a South African gender-based violence victim. Her brutal murder by her boyfriend sparked outrage, with women using the hashtag #MenAreTrash.[1] Her burnt remains were found buried in a shallow grave in a deserted field in Johannesburg, Gauteng.[2]
Background
Karabo Mokoena was a part-time business student and was in a relationship with Sandile Mantsoe, who was a currency trader. Before her disappearance, it was reported that she was involved in a heated argument with Mantsoe outside a nightclub in Sandton, Gauteng.[3][4] Mantsoe claimed he left Karabo in the apartment after their argument and upon his return found her dead. He was charged with premeditated murder and defeating the ends of justice.[5][6]
Murder
Sandile Mantsoe later confessed to police that he killed Karabo and described how he disposed of her body.[7][8] A source said he told police he'd put her body in a bin, put the bin in his car, and drove to his family home. There, he picked up acid and a container before going to a filling station to buy petrol. He then took her body to Bramley, Gauteng, where he doused her body with acid and petrol and burned it, and buried it in a shallow grave.[9][10][11]
Mantsoe told police he killed Karabo because they both had a ritual to give them power for his forex business.[12] Mokoena’s charred body was found in an open veld by a passerby in Lyndhurst, Johannesburg on 29 April 2017. Sandile Mantsoe was found guilty at the High Court in Johannesburg of murdering his 22-year-old ex-girlfriend Karabo Mokoena, whose stabbed and burnt remains were found buried in a shallow grave in a field in Johannesburg.[13] The case has caused shock and outrage, with the victim becoming symbolic of the violence faced by women in South Africa.[14]
On 3 May 2018, Mantsoe was sentenced to 32 years in prison.[5]
In May 2025, Olerato Mongale, a journalist who covered Mokoena's story, was kidnapped and murdered. Her body was found not far from the area where Mokoena's body was found.[15]
See also
References
- ^ "South Africa's Sandile Mantsoe guilty of Karabo Mokoena murder". 2018-05-02. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ^ "Services | SAPS (South African Police Service)". www.saps.gov.za. Archived from the original on 2018-05-03. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ^ Geldenhuys, Kotie (September 2018). "Crime series - murdered by an abusive lover : Karabo's story - Part 2". Servamus Community-based Safety and Security Magazine. 111 (9): 42–47. hdl:10520/EJC-1096569c9b.
- ^ "Sandile Mantsoe found guilty of murdering Karabo Mokoena". The Mail & Guardian. 2018-05-02. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ^ a b "Mantsoe 'a devil in disguise', sentenced to 32 years". The Mail & Guardian. 2018-05-03. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ^ "Sandile Mantsoe found guilty of murdering Karabo Mokoena". The Mail & Guardian. 2018-05-02. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ^ Khumalo, Juniour. "Sandile Mantsoe's admission to killing Mokoena submitted as evidence". News24. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ^ Koko, Khaya (2018-10-03). "#KaraboMokoena: Sandile Mantsoe's admission to cop allowed". IOL. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ^ "Karabo Mokoena's killer was heartless' arrogant and remorseless: prosecutor". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on 2025-03-17. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
- ^ "Chilling CCTV footage of Sandile Mantsoe moments before he disposes of Karabo Mokoena's body". SowetanLIVE. Archived from the original on 2022-08-27. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
- ^ Saba, Athandiwe (2017-05-14). "Horrific details of Karabo Mokoena's gruesome murder emerge". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2025-09-22.
- ^ "Police testimony alleges Mantsoe admitted a ritual sacrifice killed Karabo Mokoena". The Mail & Guardian. 2018-04-19. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ^ "Gender Equality welcomes the sentencing of Karabo Mokoena's killer | South African Government". www.gov.za. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ^ Ntuli, Philile (2018-04-22). "When Love Weakens: Karabo Mokoena's Courtship with Death". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ^ Njilo, Nonkululeko (2025-05-28). "Family and friends of slain Olorato Mongale tell of their immeasurable pain". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2025-06-09.