By Teboho Moloi
QWAQWA – The funeral of local taxi driver Matala “Dallas” Jelele (35) has left family, friends and colleagues grappling with unanswered questions, as those closest to him insist he showed no visible signs of distress.
Jelele was laid to rest on Saturday, 2 May, at Turfontein Village in an emotional service marked by tributes to his character, work ethic and standing in the taxi industry.
Yet beneath the tributes lies deep confusion over the circumstances surrounding his death, with relatives struggling to understand why he never reached out for help.
Family spokesperson and sister, Palesa Jelele, said the loss has left the family shattered and searching for answers.
“No amount of words can explain the pain in our hearts. He was so young, and we expected so much from him. His passing has left us traumatised and questioning whether there were signs we missed,” she said.
Colleagues in the taxi industry echoed the sentiment, describing Jelele as dependable and closely connected to those he worked with.
Taxi owner Kgotso Twala said the loss has shaken drivers who interacted with him daily.
“The drivers are struggling to come to terms with this. Dallas was driving my taxi – he was like a brother. We spoke about everything, but he never shared his problems. It’s difficult to accept his departure,” he said.
The tragedy has also sparked broader concern about emotional struggles that often go unnoticed.Lesedi FM pastor Lefu Maine warned that rising cases of suicide reflect deeper social pressures.
“We are seeing a troubling increase in lives lost. Many people are battling silently under pressures such as unemployment and social strain. These challenges compound each other, leaving individuals feeling isolated and overwhelmed,” he said.
As the community mourns, Jelele’s death has left a lingering question among those who knew him best: how someone so present in their lives could be struggling in silence.
