Gospel music sensation, Solly Moholo, has reached out to assist a family in distress after their mentally ill son, 30 year old Thabiso Mashaba, was found drowned at the Appies River in Hammanskraal on 24 November 2017.
The Mashaba family is left frustrated as the corpse of their son has been with the police waiting for DNA testing, extending the mourning period for the family.
Mr Thabiso Mashaba from Maubane Greenside, went missing on the 13th November 2017 after he left his home to go fishing with one of the Mashaba male tenants.
The family reported the matter to the police who found the drowned man after divers were called in to search for him at the river on 24 November 2017.
The tragic news then reached community leaders of Maubane who contacted the musician, Solly Moholo, to assist with mobilising donors to help the family with funeral arrangements and food during the period of waiting for the DNA results.
Solly Moholo said when Dan Makgopela contacted him on 25 December 2017 about the distressed family, he did not hesitate to help.
“With our project named Motho ke Motho ka Batho, we managed to approach different business people around Hammanskraal and they opened their hearts to donate to the family.
“We even got Ponkana and Brodie funeral parlour to assist with the funeral, said Mr Moholo.
Spokesperson at Temba Police Station, Constable Herman Moremi, pleaded with the Mashaba family to bear with the investigation as it takes close to six months to produce tests from a corpse affected by water.
He said the test are necessary to identify the deceased first so that the family can be sure that they found person is their son.
“We know that the family is in distress because of the extended grieving time, but we can confirm that we are expecting the results in about two weeks,” said Constable Moremi.
The Mashaba family thanked Solly Moholo and all people and businesses for the support provided.
Businesses that have been mobilised and came forward to assist are, Soutpan Store, Maphephela Super Store, Mooka & Sons, Kamogelo General Dealer, Rautol Shop, DC Tladi Stad, Big Save/Mike, Frontline/Nikel, Dan Makgopela and musician Sophy Matlala.