There was a heavy police presence at the funeral of Thabiso Maphike, a well-known local hero from the Vaal, who was tragically killed earlier this month. On Saturday, 16 November, hundreds of mourners, including members of the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party, gathered at the Bophelong business hub to pay their respects.
Thabiso, a successful businessman and community activist, was remembered for his tireless efforts to support local spaza shop owners. During the ceremony, the MK Party made a donation of R10,000 to Thabiso’s family and another R10,000 to a local youth center aimed at fostering small business growth in the area.
George Mollo, the MK Party’s regional treasurer, praised Thabiso’s commitment to his community. “Thabiso was a hero who stood up for locals and wanted to see local businesses thrive,” Mollo said. “His legacy will live on in the work he began.”
Thabiso became well-known for his controversial campaign to close down foreign-owned spaza shops in Bophelong, a move that made the township the first to eliminate such businesses. While his actions were widely supported by local residents, they also sparked significant opposition. Tragically, on Friday, 8 November, Thabiso was shot multiple times by gunmen posing as customers at his shop in Muvhango, Bophelong. This was the second attempt on his life; he had survived a previous shooting in January, where he was shot more than 14 times.
At the funeral, mourners described Thabiso as a “township hero” and vowed to continue his mission to strengthen the local economy and push for the closure of foreign-owned spaza shops in the Vaal. Thabiso was laid to rest at Vanderbijlpark cemetery, where his legacy was celebrated by family, friends, and supporters.
The funeral came amid rising tensions in the region, where communities are pushing to close foreign-owned spaza shops. On 21 October 2024, Gauteng’s MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, visited Sharpeville following the fatal shooting of another businessman, allegedly by foreign nationals, in connection with the ongoing campaign.
The police have confirmed that a murder investigation is underway. Captain Tintswalo Sibeko stated that authorities are actively working to identify those responsible for Thabiso’s death. Despite the tragedy, Thabiso’s legacy of courage, self-determination, and community spirit continues to inspire.
