MOURNERS paid tribute to the fallen former ANC Tshwane spokesman and now Rand Water executive Teboho Joala.
They gathered at Rietvlei Recreational Club Hall in Vereeniging on Thursday, 1 February, for the memorial service of Joala, who was brutally killed during a school donation drive in Zakariyya Park, south of Joburg.
Joala was shot eight times on Monday, 29 January, during a handover of school shoes and uniforms to the community at Zakariyya Park Hall.
During the memorial service, mourners described Joala as a dedicated comrade who loved helping other comrades.
Some described him as someone who was extremely intelligent, patient, and willing to learn from everyone.
Rand Water Group CEO Sipho Mosai said that Joala was not only his general.
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"He was not only my executive. He was a friend and a brother. In him, I found a safe space to talk about my fears and my frustrations. He was a brother. What have we done? We choose to serve our people, but we get killed like dogs. Re entse eng? When all we want to do is to serve our people? Please protect us," he said.
Mosai said that Joala was a brave man.
"He was a man of vision, and he was a man of sacrifice. I remain eternally grateful for him believing in Rand Water."
Molefi Oliphant described Joala as a beautiful flower that was taken away from them.
Water and sanitation deputy minister David Mahlobo said: "As a leader in the water sector, we are still very shocked. Our words of condolences will never be sufficient to tell the family how sorry we are for their loss."
The family said that a tree had fallen in their family.
"Our brother was ripped from us too soon. Our brother lived a life of service. As a committed member of the ANC, he struggled for equality; his leadership was evident in every space, including the church," they said.
The mourners urged everyone to rise and do something about the violence taking place against their fellow comrades, especially in Tshwane.
The funeral will take place on Sunday, 4 February at 8am.
