- A mother and five children were found dead in a rural Eastern Cape village, with no foul play suspected so far.
- Police are investigating the incident, which has left the local community in shock and mourning.
A village in Mbizana is in shock after a mother and five children were found dead in their home.
The bodies were discovered at the Rubela homestead in Ku-Bha village around 10pm on Friday.
Ziyanda Rubela, 27, died along with her three children: Anobom, 9, Athandiwe, 7, and four-year-old Asemahle.
Her niece Endinakho Zikhali, 10, and nephew Siphosethu, 7, who were visiting that day, also died.
Family spokesperson Sibongile Somtsewu said doctors found signs that the victims may have breathed in dangerous gas.
“The doctor told us that their bloods looked dark in colour, which is an indication that they could have inhaled something. He told us that they also found some type of gas in their lungs. We’ve also heard talks that a generator caused this, but we can’t say for sure,” he said.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa said they don’t suspect foul play but are investigating.
The grieving family needs help with funeral costs.
“We had a local burial society, but it will not cover everything. They will only pay for mortuary costs and the coffins, and because we’ve lost six family members we don’t have enough to cover all the funeral costs,” said Somtsewu.
All six victims will be buried at the Rubela home on Saturday, 1 February.
Pictured above: Family members and neighbours gathered at the Rubela home.
Source: Supplied
This article has been updated.
