Media Statement

Minister Kubayi to attend funeral and condemn GBVF killing of Justice Official

12 Jun 2025

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has learned with deep sadness of the tragic passing of two departmental officials attached to the Limpopo Provincial Office.

The Minister will attend the funeral service of one of the officials on Saturday, 14 June 2025, to convey her condolences and offer support to the bereaved family and affected colleagues.

Mr William Mapatha, Deputy Director: Facilities in the Limpopo Provincial Office, and Ms Lillian Rapudi, Maintenance Officer at the Mahwelereng Magistrate Court, passed away on Thursday, 5 June 2025, in a suspected murder-suicide. The two were known to have been in an intimate relationship.

According to reports, Mr Mapatha fatally shot Ms Rapudi, making her a victim of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), before taking his own life. Minister Kubayi, while deeply saddened by the incident, condemns this heinous act in the strongest possible terms.

“It is devastating that a woman, and a colleague, has lost her life so brutally, especially at the hands of someone who was entrusted with responsibility in our own ranks. Murder is a crime and a profound injustice, but it is particularly detestable when it targets a woman and occurs within a department that leads the country’s efforts to eradicate GBVF. It is even more disheartening that this happened at a time when the Justice cluster is intensifying its interventions against the GBVF crisis,” said Minister Kubayi.

The Department is deeply shocked and saddened by this incident, especially as no prior signs of distress were reported. Minister Kubayi conveys her heartfelt condolences to both families during this time of immense grief.

The Minister has called on all South Africans, and in particular, officials within the department of Justice, to speak out and seek help when experiencing personal or emotional challenges.

"There is no justification for taking another’s life, especially in such a violent and irreversible way. We must all be advocates for non-violence and commit ourselves to the values of dignity, dialogue, and support," said the Minister.

Minister Kubayi will attend the funeral service of the victim Ms Rapudi in Soekmekaar, located in the Molemole Local Municipality, to honour her memory and offer support on behalf of the Department.

The Department has made psychosocial support available to the affected families and colleagues through its Employee Wellness Programme.

The Acting Provincial Head has also visited the families to express condolences and offer ongoing support.

The Minister’s attendance reflects the Department’s unwavering commitment to standing with victims of GBVF and honouring the lives of those lost to such senseless violence.

Funeral Service Details:
Date: Saturday, 14 June 2025
Time: 07h00
Venue: Soekmekaar, Smith Street, Molemole Local Municipality

Media Enquiries: Terrence Manase, Spokesperson to the Minister - 082 338 6707

ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA