SAM MBATHA FINALLY LAID TO REST!

SAM Mbatha (24) was finally buried on Friday, 21 January.

Members of Sam’s family said the murder of the young gay man would remain an emotional scar for the rest of their lives.

The socialite’s body was found in the boot of a burnt Hyundai i20 on a soccer field in Ikageng section of Klipgat, North West, in June 2021.

African National Congress Women's League members had a March to pay their last respect to the late Sam Junior Mbatha during his funeral service in Klipgat, North West on Friday. Photo by Raymond Morare Photo by

DNA tests recently confirmed it was his body. His uncle Cornelius Mbatha said: “Today we just want to celebrate his life and remember him as the jolly person he was.

“We want to see justice for Sam.”

A mentor and Sam’s close friend, Tutu Kgobane, said: “The past seven months have been traumatic for all of us.”

A representative from rights organisation Access Chapter 2, Victoria Legau, said they were worried about the increasing number of people from the LGBTQI+ community being killed. The men accused of murdering Sam, Arthur Khoza (19), Thato Masetla (22), Junior Modise (21) and Mahlatsi Nkuna (21), will appear in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrates Court on 8 February.