A 90-YEAR-OLD gogo was allegedly hacked to death with an axe by her mzukulu, leaving her family traumatised and demanding he remain behind bars.
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Elizabeth Mmafani was allegedly attacked three times on the head at her home in Mathibestad in the Moretele Local Municipality, North West, around 10am on Tuesday, 18 August.
Her mzukulu, Fanuel Thibedi Lamola (49) has been arrested and faces a murder charge.
The family told Daily Sun they fear Lamola and want him to remain in prison and should be denied bail.
Refilwe Mokgoshi, one of Mmafani’s granddaughters, said the horrifying incident happened at the family home, where Lamola had been living with the elderly woman.
She said Lamola helped with household chores and looked after his gogo.
“[Lamola] is saying he was bewitched by people. That’s why he committed the crime,” said Refilwe.
She said the family was devastated when they found Mmafani lying on the ground, clutching her walking stick.
“My grandmother was hacked three times on the head. Family members found gogo lying down, holding her walking stick,” she said.
Refilwe said the family also found Mmafani’s clothes packed, leading them to suspect she may have been preparing to leave for Suurman in Hammanskraal.
She further alleged that the family suspected Lamola had been sexually abusing and controlling his gogo.
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“He wasn’t allowing gogo to go anywhere, even to the neighbours,” she said.
Another mzukulu, Lerato Lamola said the family suspected Mmafani may have been killed to silence her over alleged abuse and harassment.
The family also raised concerns about Lamola’s criminal history, alleging that he had been released on parole in October 2025 after serving 20 years of a 25-year sentence for rape-related offences.
Lerato described her gogo as a loving woman who had raised Lamola from the age of four months.
“My grandmother was loving and raised the killer suspect since he was four months old, although his late mum was still alive. We don’t want to see him outside. He’s a dangerous man,” she said.
She questioned why her gogo had to die in such a brutal manner.
“My grandmother was loving and would spend her last cent on us. She was overprotective. She was everything to us,” said Lerato.
The family said they were struggling to come to terms with Mmafani’s death and needed counselling.
Lamola appeared at the Moretele Magistrates Court in Hammanskraal on Monday, 31 August.
The matter was postponed to 7 October for further investigations.
The family said they remain fearful whenever Lamola is out of prison and are strongly opposed to him being granted bail.
Moretele Local Municipality spokesman Mothupi Malebye advised the family to approach their nearest social workers for counselling or contact him for assistance.
North West police spokeswoman Sergeant Kelebogile Morake confirmed that Makapanstad police are investigating a murder case.
“Police received a call reporting that a person had been assaulted.
“Upon arrival at the scene, members found the elderly woman lying on the ground with serious injuries.
“She was declared deceased at the scene by Emergency Medical Services,” said Morake.
She confirmed that a 49-year-old suspect, who is a family member of the deceased, was arrested and is facing a murder charge.
“Circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation, and police are continuing with efforts to gather all relevant evidence,” said Morake.
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