Community members raised the alarm after a strong smell permeated the Parkmore, Sekgakgapheng village.
Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo said the community was also worried that her boyfriend’s car had not been moved in a long time.
Mojapelo said her body was found with multiple stab wounds and was already in a “state of decomposition”.
The SA Human Rights Commission’s Limpopo head, Victor Mavhidula, said Mphela had approached them after she faced discrimination about her gender identity from her school principal.
“At the time of the incident, Nare left school and it was so touching,” Mavhidula told TimesLIVE on Friday morning.
Mavhidula said when they prepared for the court battle, Mphela was always present to add her contribution.
He said it was the first time his office had tackled a gender discrimination case.
In 2017 in a landmark ruling, the Seshego magistrate’s court ordered the Limpopo department of education to pay R60,000 in personal compensation to Mphela.
Mavhidula said the school’s principal was ordered to undergo gender-equality training.
He said this was a big victory for Mphela and LGBTQI+ rights in South Africa.
According to Mavhidula, Mphela had been active in the community and spoke out against gender discrimination.
“Working with Nare was very rewarding, even for my office. It is very big loss because Nare was a strong-willed person who was no pushover.
“Her contribution in the community was always visible.”
Police have taken her boyfriend in for questioning.
“We believe this might be a hate crime. We can’t rule out that possibility. We believe she might have been targeted because of her stand on LGBTI+ rights.”
A memorial service will be held at 3pm on Friday.