Grieving father seeks answers, keeps fond memories
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday August 8, 2023 06:00
Their beloved child, Tshwaragano, aged 25, was tragically hit by a car and left for dead. As The Monitor crew is welcomed into the grieving household, pleasantries are exchanged, but the weight of the sombre occasion lingers in the air.
The bereaved father, once a strong and proud BDF soldier stationed at Sir Seretse Khama Barracks (SSKB), now sits on the couch, robbed of his usual composure.
His voice trembles and tears well up in his eyes as he recounts the harrowing events. Mahokole shares that the family had travelled to their home village, Molepolole, for a traditional ceremony when they received the devastating news of their son’s demise. “We learnt about my son’s death from Molepolole Police. They informed our relatives who informed us of the incident. Upon arrival, we went straight to Mogoditshane Police Station the next morning. They took us to the morgue,” he says.
The sight was haunting and unimaginably painful, with Tshwaragano’s life cruelly taken by the reckless accident, he recalls. The mourning father describes the horrific injuries his son endured: a deep wound on the neck, as if someone had attempted to sever his throat with a knife, and his head swollen beyond recognition.
Yet, amidst the ghastly scene, Mahokole managed to identify his son by his ears and upper body. The heart-wrenching narrative unfolds, revealing that Tshwaragano’s life was cut short while walking home with his friends late one evening. Near Shell Filling Station, just a few metres from the infamous Supa Save hiking spot, tragedy struck as he was hit by a car. “His friend, Loeto told me that when they crossed the road, Tshwaragano and another boy (I do not recall his name) crossed first.
After a few minutes, he heard a loud noise. Upon arrival, Loeto realised that his friend was in shock. When he asked where Tshwaragano was, he informed him that he has been hit by a car,” he says.
The impact proved fatal. “When I went to the police, they informed me that the video footage is not clear. Unfortunately, they have not shown me the video footage,” he says. Despite the incident being captured on video, the police have yet to identify a suspect. The footage, unfortunately, lacks clarity, showing only that a BMW sedan was involved, with a mirror from the scene serving as the only tangible evidence. Still, Mahokole remains hopeful that the police will continue their investigation diligently and that justice will prevail for his late son.
The pain is palpable as he speaks about the loss of a bright future he had envisioned for Tshwaragano, whose young life was brimming with potential and promise. “When growing up, he used to feel afraid around people, to the extent that even when someone was asked for the names of his parents, he would start sobbing. We always wondered what caused him to be that sensitive,” he recalls. Tshwaragano was not only a son but a talented karate enthusiast, following in the footsteps of his sibling to become a member of the SSKB Karate Club. He excelled in the sport, winning a gold medal at the Zone VI Karate Championships in South Africa and harbouring dreams of becoming a soldier. His instructor at the SSKB’s kufukan club, Oratile Caiphus, fondly recalls Tshwaragano’s dedication, speed, and formidable kicking skills.
“He was passionate about karate and was an upcoming threat in the Under 60kg category. He had a similar style to Thabang Setshego. He enjoyed kumite a lot,” Caiphus says of the young man he affectionately called Zulu. He adds that Tshwaragano’s passion and discipline in karate made him a beloved athlete with a bright future ahead. In addition to karate, Tshwaragano had also developed a keen interest in carpentry and baking, signifying the diverse talents he possessed and the potential avenues he could have pursued in life.
The tragic loss of Tshwaragano Mahokole has left a void in the lives of his family, friends, and community. As they grapple with grief and heartache, they hold onto the memories of a young man who exemplified determination, talent, and promise. His family hopes Tshwaragano’s legacy continues to inspire others and that justice ultimately is served for the life cut short too soon.