Soweto residents call for GBV to end as slain student is laid to rest

Soweto student Phuti Ramara was assaulted, raped and strangled with her own pants. Picture: Facebook

Soweto student Phuti Ramara was assaulted, raped and strangled with her own pants. Picture: Facebook

Published Dec 14, 2020

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Johannesburg - Murdered Soweto student Phuthi Ramara, 21, whose naked body was found in a soccer field in Protea Glen Extension 31 last Monday, was laid to rest yesterday.

Her funeral, held at a hall in Protea Glen Extension 12, was sombre with the youths, students and the local ANC Women’s League singing and calling for an end to gender-based violence.

The death of the second-year Unisa student shocked the local community who – on the last day of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence – held a candlelight night vigil in protest.

Youth and students carried placards inside and outside the hall with the inscription: “Sekwanele”, “Sesikhathele”, “Enough is Enough”.

Childhood friend Atlegang Modise, who grew up with Ramara in Diepkloof, told the mourners she was hurt at the death of her friend. “I am very saddened by my friend’s death. We had big plans for our future and it’s unfortunate that we are gathered here for her funeral but I believe she brought us here together to remember to be kind to one another. I'm going to miss her a lot. What I have left of her is memories,” Modise said.

“I don't have much words to say, but Phuthi was a good person who had dreams and aspirations like many of us. What appals me even more is that men are dogs. I'm sorry to put it like that but I have no other way to put it. I never thought I'd ever be standing and talking at Phuthi’s funeral,” she said.

Ramara’s body was discovered by a jogger. She had been beaten, raped and strangled with her own pants. This happened after she left with her friend and cousin on Sunday.

She was buried at Olifantsfontein Cemetery.

Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubele said on Sunday that no arrests had been made yet.

The Star

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