THE community of Ficksburg in the Free State is still in shock.
IYOH! What happened?
This after an unknown woman was found lying in the Staffordhill graveyard on Saturday, 22 March.
The woman was seen by mourners attending a funeral service for the driver of the Setsoto Local Municipality Speaker, who lost his life in a car crash last week.
According to a community member at the funeral, the woman was unconscious.
Mourners speak out
"We were deeply disturbed to discover a woman lying in the graveyard, appearing to be unresponsive. Our initial concern was that she may have passed away. However, upon the arrival of emergency officials, it was determined she was still alive.
"There was no smell of alcohol on her, which left us wondering how she ended up in this vulnerable state. We believe the woman was kidnapped from Lesotho and dumped in the graveyard," said a 36-year-old resident.
Women's organisation demands answers
Women's organisations in Ficksburg are demanding answers and calling for justice, seeking to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
The organisations are urging authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and provide support to the victim's family, as the woman's identity remains unknown.
ALSO READ | ‘My hubby died a sad man!'Opens in new window
Matshele Raletowane, chairwoman of the Matshele Foundation and Itekeng Women with Disability, expressed concern about the high rate of gender-based violence in their area.
"As women's organisations, we are deeply concerned about the well-being and identity of the woman found at the graveyard. We urge the authorities to work tirelessly to locate her family and ensure that she receives the necessary care and support.
"It's crucial to prioritise her dignity and well-being and provide her with the help she needs to recover from this traumatic experience," she said.
Police investigate the matter
Police spokesman Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring said that no case has been reported.
"We've checked our records and haven't received any reports of a missing person matching the description of the woman found at the graveyard.
"We urge anyone with information or concerns about a missing family member or friend to come forward and contact us at the Ficksburg Police Station," he said.
The victim was taken to an undisclosed hospital for medical treatment.
For more news and entertainment in the palm of your hand, follow our WhatsApp Channel via this link
