Renowned medical doctor and black consciousness activist Dr Gomolemo Mokae was shot dead in his bed, according to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
In a media statement released on Sunday, Ramaphosa said Mokae’s decomposed body was found in his Ga-Rankuwa, north of Pretoria, home on Wednesday.
Mokae (61) was last seen alive on February 28 and was subsequently murdered, according to the police.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has been saddened by the violent death of renowned medical doctor, author, and black consciousness intellectual and activist Dr Gomolemo Mokae,” said Vincent Magwenya, the president’s spokesperson.
“Dr Mokae was found dead in his Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, home on Wednesday, 5 March 2025, after he had last been seen on February 28.
“President Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to the family, friends, neighbours, patients, and comrades of Dr Mokae, who was a former national spokesperson of the Azanian People’s Organisation and a founder member of the Socialist Party of Azania.
“In addition to his medical practice, Dr Mokae published several books and wrote for television as a proud exponent of his mother tongue, Setswana.”
Criminals have no regard for caring citizens
Ramaphosa said the brutality inflicted on Mokae and Pam Mabini — and recently, Imam Muhsin Hendricks — demonstrates that violent criminals have no regard for the lives of South Africans, including selfless and caring citizens who become known publicly for the contributions they make to the upliftment and protection of fellow citizens.
The Gqeberha-based whistleblower and gender activist Mabini (46), who was shot and killed outside her home on Friday, played a crucial role supporting victims in the Timothy Omotoso alleged rape and trafficking case.
LGBTQIA+ activist Hendricks, an openly gay imam, was shot and killed execution-style in Gqeberha in February.
“Dr Mokae, who had spent many years caring for patients in Ga-Rankuwa, was experiencing health problems of his own when he was shot in his bed.
“Their deaths and those of all victims of violence must move communities to work together more closely as citizens and in partnership with the police to prevent violence and to identify perpetrators in instances where attacks result.”
Murder docket opened
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said police are investigating a case of murder in connection with Mokae’s death.
“A case of murder is opened for further investigations after the body of a 61-year-old man was found decomposed in his house at Ga-Rankuwa on 5 March 2025,” said Nevhuhulwi.
“The circumstances surrounding the incident and cause of death are subject to police investigations.”
Last Thursday, residents of Ga-Rankuwa Zone 1 gathered outside Mokae’s house on More Street to pay respects to the late author.
Mokae’s funeral service will take place at Thabong Lodge in Ga-Rankuwa Zone 3 on Tuesday.
He will be buried at Kgabalatsane Cemetery in Ga-Rankuwa, and the service will begin at 7am.
