Karabo Mokoena, a young woman from South Africa, was tragically murdered in 2017, sparking widespread outrage and highlighting the country’s issue with gender-based violence. Known for her warmth, spirituality, and ambition, Karabo lived in Johannesburg and had a vibrant personality that resonated with her friends and family.
In a relationship with Sandile Mantsoe, a seemingly caring and successful businessman, Karabo faced a different reality behind closed doors. When Karabo went missing on April 27, 2017, her family raised the alarm as she stopped communicating with them. Concerned friends initiated a social media campaign using #FindKarabo to locate her.
Tragically, two days later, Karabo’s body was discovered in a shallow grave in Lyndhurst, Johannesburg. She had been brutally assaulted, doused in acid, and set on fire in an attempt to cover up the crime. Investigations revealed that Mantsoe, her boyfriend, was responsible for her murder, which occurred during an argument in his Sandton apartment. Evidence presented in court indicated that he had physically attacked and strangled her before enlisting help to dispose of her body.
During the trial, witnesses testified to the emotional and physical abuse Karabo endured from Mantsoe throughout their relationship. Despite her desire to leave him, Karabo held onto hope that he would change, as recounted by her friends.
In May 2018, Mantsoe was found guilty of murder, assault, and obstructing justice. He was sentenced to 32 years in prison, with concurrent terms for the different charges. Despite the severity of the verdict, Mantsoe appeared composed and even smiled during court proceedings and when interacting with his family and the media.
In response to Karabo’s tragic death, activists and mourners gathered outside the South Gauteng High Court, demanding justice not only for her but for all victims of femicide in South Africa. Her case became a symbol of the country’s pervasive gender-based violence problem, leading to the #JusticeForKarabo movement on social media, which ignited discussions, vigils, and calls for reform.
Political leaders and civil society organizations joined in the calls for greater protection for women and harsher penalties for perpetrators of domestic violence, aiming to address the alarming rates of violence against women in the country.
