The family of the late Moshe Matlhogonolo Mooketsane has publicly appealed to a woman believed to have been in a relationship with him to remove photos of the pair that were shared on social media shortly after news of his death was announced.
According to a statement issued by relatives on Saturday, members of the Mooketsane and Seitshiro families confirmed that Moshe passed away on 7 February 2026. It has been reported that his death resulted from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident, although further details surrounding the incident have not been widely released.
In the hours following the announcement, a woman identified online as Tsitsi Diseko shared a series of images on Facebook that showed her kissing and embracing the deceased. Alongside the photos, she posted an emotional caption in which she referred to Moshe as “my baby,” expressing grief over his passing.
The post quickly gained attention, attracting a large number of reactions and comments from social media users. Many offered condolences, while others debated the appropriateness of sharing intimate images so soon after the family’s announcement.
As the discussion continued online, a man identifying himself as Ntate Rrabojijane Wame Lekoba commented publicly, stating that he was speaking on behalf of Moshe’s relatives. In his message, he requested that the photos be removed, describing them as inappropriate and potentially hurtful to other individuals connected to the deceased.
He further claimed that Moshe had been involved in another relationship at the time of his death and shared a child with that partner. According to his statement, the family believed that leaving the images online could cause distress to the woman and the child, particularly during a period of mourning.
The request sparked additional conversation among followers, with some supporting the family’s appeal for sensitivity, while others argued that the woman also had a right to express her grief publicly if she had indeed been close to the deceased.
In what appeared to be a response to the growing discussion, Diseko later posted a brief message written in Setswana. The phrase, loosely translated by several social media users, was interpreted as challenging the family to provide proof that Moshe had formally paid “magadi” (bride price) to another partner’s family.
The remark was widely understood by commenters as her disputing claims that the deceased had been in a formally recognised relationship with someone else. However, no official confirmation regarding the nature of Moshe’s personal relationships has been released by his immediate family.
The situation highlights how social media can sometimes amplify private matters during periods of grief, turning personal disputes into public conversations. Experts on bereavement and online communication often caution that emotions can run high after the loss of a loved one, and differing perspectives about relationships may surface unexpectedly.
At the time of writing, it remains unclear whether the disputed images have been removed or whether further discussions between the involved parties have taken place privately.
Family members have primarily focused their public messages on mourning Moshe’s passing and preparing for memorial and funeral arrangements. Community members and online followers have continued to share condolences with the family, urging all parties to handle the matter with respect and compassion.
As the situation continues to unfold, many observers have called for sensitivity toward everyone affected by the loss, emphasising that grief can be experienced differently by each person connected to the deceased.
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