Dalphine Tagwireyi
A woman who was arrested last week for the brutal murder of six-year-old Bontle Mashiyane has confessed to killing two more children in 2019.
Ntombikayise Mokoena told police this week that she killed siblings Nontokozo and Silindile Qibi, aged seven and six respectively, to sell their body parts for cash.
The killings took place in the same village of Mganduzweni outside White River in Mpumalanga. The small village of only 400 people has been ravaged by child murders in recent years.
Mokoena’s confession exonerates Pastor Bheki Malomane and his nephew Wonder Mbuyane, who had been accused at the time of murdering the young siblings – but their innocence has been established too late.
The 36-year-old pastor and his 24-year-old nephew were brutally murdered by a mob after their homes were burnt down.
Pastor Malomane and Mbuyane’s family said they were relieved that the pair has finally been cleared of the murder, even though they are dead.
Ziyanda Malomane said that her brother and nephew were wrongfully accused and their plea of innocence fell on deaf ears as the community was adamant they had committed the gruesome rape and murder of the siblings.
“Mokoena herself accused my brother and nephew, yet she knew she had orchestrated it. I am sure the traditional healer who pointed out my brother was in cahoots with her,” she said.
Malomane said her brother and nephew had two children each and Mokoena saw them leave Mganduzweni as their homes were burnt down.
“Their children suffered, after losing their fathers and protectors to a crime they did not commit. They were left homeless and without providers,” she said.
The murdered Qibi siblings were found dumped in a ditch after they left home to visit their grandmother.
Mokoena stands accused of murder, kidnapping and human-trafficking of the six-year-old Bontle.
After attending Mokoena’s court hearing, community members set alight houses belonging to Mokoena and her co-accused Samuel Tsela as well as a shack belonging to Thaphelo Ngomane.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said that while in police custody, Mokoena confessed to the murder of the two siblings including two other children from Hazyview.
“Investigations are still underway and once concluded a formal communication will be made,” Mohlala said.
