The eldest daughter of Gauteng Judge President Bernard Ngoepe has died, the office of the chief justice said on Wednesday.

Spokeswoman Lulama Lutihe said Joan Kwena Matlala, 41, died on Saturday after battling diabetic complications.

Matlala was the mother of the late four-year-old Makgabo Bernice Matlala, who was found murdered at her parents’ house in Lenasia in March 2006.

“It is the family’s view that Kwena, as she was affectionately known, never fully recovered, emotionally, from the tragic loss of her daughter,” Lutihe said.

After completing a BProc degree at the University of the North, Kwena trained as an attorney with Matlala Attorneys in Pretoria.

She then went on to work for the Road Accident Fund (RAF) where she remained until her death.

Luti said a memorial service would be held at the RAF offices in Johannesburg on Thursday, starting at 11am.

The funeral service would be held on Saturday, in Lenasia South.

Matlala is survived by her husband, two sons, her parents and two siblings.

FROM OUR FILES

Ngoepe grandkid’s killer gets life again

A young man sentenced to life in September last year for the murder of a judge’s granddaughter was jailed for another life term in December 2007.

Johannes Molefe killed Makgabo Matlala, and raped the family’s domestic worker in March 2006. For this, he was given two life sentences for the crimes. His two co-accused, Lucky Ndlovu and Steve Tsietsi Mhlanga, were sentenced to life and 20 years each.

Then, in 2007, the Johannesburg high court jailed Molefe (23 at the time of this sentencing) to life for rape, 20 years for murder, 12 years for attempted murder and another 20 years for being an accomplice to crime.

This after he raped a Lenasia woman and murdered her friend, in March last year.

Molefe’s co-accused for this crime, Kleinkie Pooe, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the murder. He was acquitted on the rape charge as DNA evidence did not link him to the rape.

The attack on the two women came just two days after he murdered little Makgabo.

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Fri May 24 13:44:07 SAST 2013 ::

Jul 18, 2012

Memme

Tse bohloko ga di fele. Ke ka bohloko bjo bogolo bja pelo go kwa ka lehu lee.
Robala ka khutso mo Afrika...
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Jul 18, 2012

Mellow

Sincere condolences to the family and friends, its just sad to lose a loved one I feel for the hubby and her sons eish
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Jul 18, 2012

Shredder

41 years old diabetes, scary thought.
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Jul 18, 2012

Papage

Sad in deed, condolences, she has gone to rest with her daughter, the Father is left with the Boys, go well Mmarona. Rest in peace knowing that the Boys are grown ups, they can cook and wash themselves, you taught them well, we are all coming there, dont worry, our days are coming as well. May God give your Family courage to move on, go well, see you soon.
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Jul 18, 2012

lebloza

May her soul rest in peace. Hope the father will look after your two sons very sad in deed. may Lord give your family strength.
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Jul 18, 2012

sakhomba

RIP Kwena.
============================
@You-Jean-Terrible
nb somebody give TSOLEKILE a chance already, otherwise otlotla mo oretene.
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Jul 18, 2012

SeshegoGuY

Modimo a be le yena
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Jul 18, 2012

MsKinkyakaKamaSutra

@Sowetan, where the F is my comment

Condolences to the Ngoepe and Matlala family
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Jul 18, 2012

Flemza

I will go for diabetes check right away I`m also in that age group , this is scarry , but any way , death is death , rest in peace my sister may the angels be with you
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Jul 18, 2012

Kekgethegile

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Noepe and Matlala families. With love and sympathy former school mates(Phiri Kolobe)

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