South Africans Fume as Community Films Kgaogelo Marota’s Fatal Stabbing, Family Demands Justice

South Africans Fume as Community Films Kgaogelo Marota’s Fatal Stabbing, Family Demands Justice

  • The family of 20-year-old Kgaogelo Marota, who was fatally stabbed following an altercation at a tavern on Thursday night, is outraged
  • This comes after video clips of the incident have been making rounds online as some people caught the incident on camera
  • The family said that the community has failed the 20-year-old by filming the attack instead of helping her

The family of the 20-year-old Kgaogelo Marota who was brutally stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend is fuming after community members filmed the attack instead of helping. The incident happened at a tavern in Maubane, North West on Thursday, 21 August 2025.

Kgaogelo Marota’s family condemns community members
The family of 20-year-old Kgaogelo Marota is devastated after her ex-boyfriend fatally stabbed her. Images: Sechaba Times/ Facebook and Luba Lesolle/Gallo Images via Getty Images
Source: UGC

What did the family say?

Marota’s father, Thabiso Seema, said he felt failed by the community, criticising residents for filming the incident instead of helping. He questioned the values of Maubane, describing the community’s response as deeply disappointing.

A witness said to Enca he attempted to intervene, but the suspect had a gun. He recalled seeing the suspect stabbing the victim and warning anyone who tried to help that they would be shot, saying he would have killed anyone who got in his way.

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How did the incident happen?

The suspect reportedly shared a video online after committing the attack, which quickly went viral. Hours later, he posted another video blaming the victim for his actions.

Police launched a manhunt after Marota’s body was discovered at the tavern, having been stabbed multiple times while trying to escape. The suspect is also alleged to have returned home and stabbed his new girlfriend several times. He was arrested on Friday, 22 August 2025.

Marota’s family condemns community members who filmed the brutal stabbing
The family of Kgaogelo Marota, stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend, voices their anger over the viral video and the community's failure to assist. Image: Emmanuel Croset/Getty Images
Source: Getty Images

South Africans weigh in

Social media users shared their opinions regarding the horrific incident.

@Tsietsi_Mohale said:

"Please release him to the community of Hammmaskraal for questioning. He made a video confessing his crimes, there is no prison that can rehabilitate such miscreants, waste of State resources."

@MelodicVibz said:

"But this one is a cruel monster."

@Vaccinations13 said:

"Why is he still called a suspect after he had come out and claimed responsibility and even posted on Facebook."

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@Spade37295887 said:

"We should have courts that will deal with these kind of cases in 1 day and lock the suspect immediately. Now it's going to take months with trials, bails etc. If they evidence is there, why wait."

@LaPolymath said:

"Hopefully, the court denies him bail. Someone that dangerous shouldn’t be allowed back into society."

@Proudly012 said:

"The problem is that such cruel people are spared from the pain, cruelty they subject to others. Just like that his right to life is more important than his victims right to life."

Tsakane woman found murdered

In another article, Briefly News reported that a woman from Tsakane in Ekurhuleni was found murdered near a field on 9 July 2025. She had attended a funeral and was last seen at the funeral.

Her body was discovered, and she had been raped before she was murdered. One person was arrested.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Justin Williams avatar

Justin Williams (Editorial Assistant) Justin Williams is a multimedia journalist who recently completed his Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Film & Multimedia Production and English Literary Studies from the University of Cape Town. He is a former writer and chief editor at Right for Education Africa: South African chapter. You can contact Justin at justin.williams@briefly.co.za