The heart-wrenching memorial service for Sellwane was held on Wednesday, 25 June, at Batho Location in Bloemfontein, Free State.
Sellwane reportedly collapsed during a funeral service in Welkom on Friday, 20 June, likely triggered by the trauma of losing her daughter
Lindiwe Mofokeng, her closest friend, shared a heartfelt tribute, reflecting on their bond and cherished memories.
“The loss of her daughter, Machaka, to a mysterious kidnapping and subsequent death was a wound that slowly drained Sellwane’s life force and left her spirit broken.
“Sellwane’s strength was her daughter. When Machaka was taken, a part of her went with her. I’ll never forget Sellwane’s smile, but it’s now tinged with sadness, a reminder of the pain she endured,” she said.
Speaking to Daily Sun, Lindiwe said of her friend: “Sellwane’s love for her daughter was overwhelming. She lost a part of herself in losing Machaka. We’ve lost a piece of our community’s heart.”
Family spokesman Moalusi Ramoahlodi expressed the immense loss to their family.
“The passing of our sister leaves a void in our family that can never be filled. We take comfort in the memories of her love and strength, especially during the difficult times after Machaka’s passing. This is double the pain for us, as we were still waiting for justice for her daughter.”
Thokozile Nogabe of the Buwang Basadi Women Organisation in the Free State expressed their sorrow.
“We’e deeply saddened by Sellwane’s passing. Our hearts go out to the family during this incredibly difficult time. We honour her memory and legacy while holding her family in our prayers. May her daughter’s memory live on in our hearts, and may we continue to fight for justice and support for families affected by violence and trauma.”
Sefora Ntombela, chairwoman of the Sefora Ntombela Foundation highlighted the heartbreaking pattern affecting grieving mothers like Sellwane.
“Their daughters, Mpho, Machaka, and Thato, were murdered, and now their mothers have followed them, their hearts broken beyond repair.
“Mpho was killed on 17 June 2024. Her mother, Matshidiso, laid her daughter to rest but passed away 42 days later, on 28 August. Six weeks saw an entire family wiped out by grief,” she said.
Ntombela said 16-year-old Machaka was kidnapped from her bedroom on 2 December 2023.
“Her violated body was found two days later in a Bloemfontein field. Sellwane fought diligently for justice. Court papers cluttered her kitchen table, chasing rescheduled hearings and dealing with missing evidence. Eighteen months later, her heart gave out. Still, there’s no verdict.
“Thato Tumaole was murdered on 10 May 2024. Her mother, Eunice, clung to the hope that someone would be held accountable. But as court dates were deferred and suspects changed, the weight became unbearable. Eunice passed away on 8 February 2025, leaving an empty chair in a courtroom still awaiting answers,” she said.
Ntombela criticised the justice system for failing these grieving mums, saying: “The mothers didn’t just lose their children. They were slowly murdered by a system that failed them. No mother should die of a broken heart while waiting for justice.”
