The Phuthaditjhaba community in the Free State gathered in grief on Saturday, 18 October 2025, to bid a heartbreaking farewell to 75-year-old Frank Lelala, who was brutally murdered earlier this month. Friends, relatives, and neighbours filled the family yard to pay their final respects in a tearful funeral service that reflected both sorrow and disbelief.
Lelala’s tragic death sent shockwaves throughout the community. Reports indicate that he was attacked on Wednesday, 8 October, allegedly by his 36-year-old grand-nephew, Tshepang Mapiloko. The suspect is accused of fatally assaulting the elderly man with a hammer inside his own home — the very place where Lelala had given him shelter following the death of his mother.
During the service, mourners struggled to hold back tears as speakers shared fond memories of a man described as humble, kind, and welcoming. One of Lelala’s lifelong friends, Oupa Mbele (60), recalled how they often sat outside his room, chatting and enjoying each other’s company. “It was heartbreaking to see his coffin placed on the same spot where we used to sit together,” Mbele said. He described the shock of finding blood and brain matter inside the bedroom where the attack took place, saying it was an image he could never erase.
Family representative Thabo Phalatsi spoke passionately about Lelala’s generosity and community spirit. “He was a friendly person, and his house was always open to everyone,” he said. “We can’t understand why his life had to end in such a brutal manner. He took in the suspect out of love and care, and this is how he was repaid.”
Phalatsi added that the accused had deceived the family by pretending to be respectful and trustworthy. “He fooled us all with his innocent face,” he said. “We will never forgive him for what he did. He took away our uncle, a man who never harmed anyone. We demand justice — he must spend the rest of his life behind bars.”
Community members who attended the funeral echoed the family’s anger and sadness, calling for swift justice. Many described Lelala as a pillar of the neighbourhood — a man who was always ready to help, lend advice, or share a meal. His death has not only devastated his loved ones but also left an emotional scar across the area.
The tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the growing cases of violence within families and communities across the country. For those who knew Frank Lelala, his passing is not only a loss but also a betrayal that will take years to heal.
As the casket was lowered into the ground, mourners sang hymns and prayed for his soul, remembering him as a man whose kindness will never be forgotten. Yet, beneath the prayers lay a shared plea — that justice be served and that no family should ever endure such a cruel and senseless act again.
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