A chilling video shared on TikTok by a young man moments after he allegedly killed his ex-girlfriend has horrified South Africans and reignited debate on the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) in the country.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in North West, Major General Patrick Asaneng, confirmed the arrest of the 26-year-old suspect in the early hours of Friday, 22 August 2025, in Carousel View near Maubane. The man faces charges of murder and attempted murder after a deadly rampage that left one young woman dead and another fighting for her life.
The ordeal began on Thursday, 21 August, at a tavern in Maubane village, where 20-year-old Kgaugelo Marota was brutally stabbed multiple times. Emergency and Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) declared her dead at the scene.
Investigations revealed that after killing Marota, the suspect returned to his home, where he allegedly stabbed his current 20-year-old girlfriend several times. She was rushed to a local hospital and remains in critical condition.
Shockingly, instead of fleeing or seeking help, the suspect is alleged to have filmed himself justifying his actions and posted the disturbing video on TikTok, where it circulated widely before being taken down.
The suspect is due to appear before the Temba Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 25 August, facing charges of murder and attempted murder.
Major General Asaneng commended the swift response of Makapanstad police in tracking down and arresting the suspect.
“This gruesome act of violence cannot be justified. We urge communities to report early signs of abusive behaviour before tragedies like this occur,” Asaneng said.
Marota’s death is not an isolated case. South Africa continues to grapple with some of the highest femicide rates in the world. According to Stats SA’s 2023 GBV survey, one in three women has experienced physical or sexual violence in her lifetime. Police crime statistics reveal that in 2024 alone, more than 1,200 women were murdered by intimate partners, translating to at least one woman killed every six hours.
Experts warn that the rise of social media as a platform for abusers to brag about or justify their crimes reflects a disturbing trend.
“Posting such crimes online is both a form of control and a desperate cry for notoriety,” said the GBV researcher. “It highlights how digital platforms are being weaponised to further traumatise victims and their families.”
Marota’s family, still reeling from the tragedy, described her as a “bubbly, ambitious young woman” who had dreams of becoming a nurse.
“She had her whole life ahead of her. To think that her last moments were filled with pain at the hands of someone she once trusted is unbearable,” said a grieving aunt.
Community members gathered outside Marota’s family home in Maubane to light candles and comfort the devastated family. Many expressed anger and frustration at what they see as a failing system that does not protect women adequately.
Women’s rights organisations condemned the incident and urged the government to strengthen protection mechanisms for women in abusive relationships.
“We cannot normalise the killing of women by men they know. Femicide is South Africa’s second pandemic,” said Women Against Violence spokesperson, Zanele Khumalo. “We demand stricter bail conditions, faster prosecution, and stronger monitoring of abusers.”
As the suspect awaits his court appearance, Marota’s death has become yet another grim reminder of South Africa’s relentless GBV crisis. For her family and friends, no statistic can capture the void left by her loss.
“She was only 20. She deserved to live, to love, and to chase her dreams. Instead, her name will be remembered as another victim of femicide,” said her cousin quietly, holding back tears.
