Young twins wake up to murder-suicide, living motherless
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Tuesday April 18, 2023 06:00
Reports are the twins remain without a parent after their mother was killed by her boyfriend who later committed suicide last Thursday morning. In an interview with The Monitor, Kazungula Police Station Commander, Superintendent Phetogo Phillimon confirmed that they have been investigating a murder-suicide incident that took place in Botebele ward.
He said that a 43-year-old man from Nokaneng village is suspected to have murdered his girlfriend aged 42 years of Letsoma community before taking his own life. Phillimon indicated that the incident was reported Thursday morning. He stated that the matter was reported by a 44-year-old self-employed man who is the deceased’s elder brother after being notified by his twin nieces.
The deceased's twins are reportedly on school vacation and are doing their Form 2 at Chobe Junior Secondary School (JSS). Prior to the gruesome incident, it is alleged that the couple had a misunderstanding but did not report the matter to the police. According to the Kazungula Police Station chief, it was reported that when the twins woke up on the fateful morning, they knocked on their mother's room but there was no response. Furthermore, the twins then proceeded to open the door and they found their mother lying on the bed motionless. “The reporter who was not at home at the time told the officers on duty that the twins also found their mother's boyfriend hanging from the toilet rafters,” he added. He added that upon witnessing the harrowing incident the twins panicked and ran out searching for help until they found their uncle who checked the scene.
Phillimon elaborated that the matter was then reported to the police who attended the crime scene. He observed that there were no visible injuries on the deceased's body and it is highly suspected that the 42-year-old woman was suffocated. The Kazungula police boss added that the suspect committed suicide by hanging himself using a steel wire.
The deceased were taken to the Kasane Primary Hospital where they were certified dead. Phillimon urged troubled couples to seek professional help and consult with community leaders, the police and pastors when they encounter problems in their relationships. “The passion killings start with abuse in words and later escalate to physical abuse which results in the death of another or both parties. Such tragedies often leave families in despair and disparity,” he said.
He called on men to stop the abuse of women and children and urged all to report any incident that suggests violence. The Kazungula Station Commander said the children are currently living with relatives and are receiving counselling.