The family of Lebohang Mofosi is still grappling with shock and unanswered questions after he was found unresponsive opposite the Bronx in Sky City.

Mofosi, who lived with his family in Palmridge, left home shortly around noon on the day of his death. According to relatives, he did not say where he was going, which was unusual behaviour.

His cousin, Thabile Radithlalo, described Mofosi as a quiet, reserved person who mostly kept to himself.

“He was naughty, but quiet, you wouldn’t really notice,” she said.

@albertonrecordThe family of Lebohang Mofosi is still grappling with shock and unanswered questions after he was found unresponsive opposite the Bronx in Sky City. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za♬ original sound – Alberton Record

Radithlalo said that from early that morning, Mofosi appeared unsettled, saying he moved around the house far more than usual.

“Normally, he would stay inside the house. He never went out a lot. But that morning, he was up and down, going in and out,” she recalled.

When she asked him why, he replied that he was busy and did not explain much.

“At the time, he seemed happy. But looking back, I realise he wasn’t. I think he was masking whatever was going on in his mind,” she said.

At about 12:30, Radithlalo noticed a WhatsApp status posted by Mofosi that read, ‘See you on the other side’, accompanied by dove emojis.

Because of his personality, the family did not immediately panic.

“He loved pranks, so we didn’t take it seriously at first,” she explained.

Concern grew when they tried calling him, and he did not answer. After several attempts, he eventually picked up the phone.

“When he answered, he told me that he had drunk poison. I told him not to be crazy because I still thought he was joking,” Radithlalo said.

Wanting to be sure, she asked him where he was so that she could take him to the Phola Park Clinic if needed. Before he could respond, the call dropped. They tried calling him again repeatedly, but he did not answer.

“At that point, we still thought it was one of his pranks. But there was something inside me that didn’t feel right,” she said.

@albertonrecordThe family of Lebohang Mofosi is still grappling with shock and unanswered questions after he was found unresponsive opposite the Bronx in Sky City. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za

♬ original sound – Alberton Record

Radithlalo said she went into the surrounding streets searching for him, but could not find him.

“It was difficult because he didn’t really have friends around, so I didn’t know where to look,” she said.

Growing more worried, she phoned her mother, who was at work at the time.

“I told her what was happening, and she said she had spoken to him earlier and that he didn’t sound okay,” Radithlalo said.

Shortly afterwards, Radithlalo received another call from Mofosi.

“He was begging me to help him. He said he was dying. I kept asking him where he was, but he didn’t tell me,” she said.

She could hear that he was struggling to speak before the call ended. Another call followed, but this time it was not Mofosi on the line.

A man told Radithlalo that he had come across Mofosi in Sky City and that he was in a serious condition.

“He asked for my address and said he would send someone to fetch me so we could go there,” she explained.

The family rushed to Sky City but were delayed by traffic. When they arrived about 30 minutes later, Mofosi was alive but unconscious.

“He was weak and passed away a few minutes after we arrived.”

The family was informed that an ambulance had been called but had not yet arrived. Emergency services eventually arrived hours later and declared him dead. Forensic services later removed his body and transported it to the mortuary.

The family is devastated and confused, with no clear answers as to what led to Mofosi’s death.

“We don’t know why he did this. We are in the dark. We hope one day we will understand what he was going through,” said Radithlalo.

She added that Mofosi had a strong interest in technology and was skilled in it.

Mofosi will be laid to rest in the Free State on January 24.