A deep wave of sorrow and relief swept through Tebang Village in QwaQwa, Free State, as five family members were finally laid to rest on Sunday, 20 April, following an agonizing eight-month wait for DNA confirmation.
The emotional funeral service brought together heartbroken relatives, friends, and villagers who came to pay their final respects to Tshokolo Mofokeng (35), his wife Anna Hlatswayo (32), and their three children—Tumelo (10), Moleboheng (8), and Bokomoso (1). Their remains were carried in five coffins and welcomed home in a solemn ceremony that marked the end of months of waiting, pain, and unanswered questions.
The tragedy left an emotional scar on the Mofokeng family and the community at large. The prolonged delay in the burial was due to the time required to process DNA tests needed to positively identify the deceased. For the family, each day of waiting was filled with anguish and uncertainty.
Family spokeswoman Mathibatsana Mofokeng opened up about the psychological and emotional strain the family endured during the long wait.
“We waited eight months for the DNA results, and it was an incredibly difficult and anxious time for us as a family,” she said, her voice heavy with emotion. “The wait felt like an eternity, but finally having the confirmation has brought some sense of closure.”
Despite the finality of the burial, the trauma of losing five loved ones in one tragic incident lingers. “We’re psychologically damaged,” Mathibatsana said. “We were forced to handle a pain in our hearts for a period of eight months. No amount of words could explain how heartbroken we are as a family.”
The village stood in solidarity with the grieving family, many shedding tears as the coffins were carried to their final resting place. It was a moment not just of mourning, but of collective support, as the community grappled with the immense loss alongside the Mofokeng family.
Throughout the eight months, the family relied on faith, community support, and each other to cope with the devastating loss. But even with the burial now complete, the emotional healing will be a long journey
As the coffins were lowered into the ground, a heavy silence fell over the crowd. The final goodbye marked the end of a harrowing chapter but also the beginning of a long healing process. The Mofokeng family’s resilience stands as a powerful reminder of the strength required to endure unimaginable loss.
May they rest in peace.