Phila Mntsizelwa (4), Inganathi Mntsizelwa (8), and Iyapha Mntsizelwa (14) were murdered by their mother. Their sister, Athini (11) survived after she pretended to be dead while her mother strangled them in a forest in Gcabavu locality, Port St Johns, on September 11.
The mother’s body, Ntombizanele Mntsizelwa(35), was also found in the same forest this morning, only 100 metres away in dense bushes where she murdered her three children.
Mntsizelwa’s mother, Nozicelo Madwala said she was still shocked about what her daughter did.
READ MORE | Mother allegedly poisons, strangles her three children to death
Madwala told Express that her daughter never showed that she had a problem. “On Sunday afternoon, she was singing, and we did not have an argument which could have led her to take this decision, “said Madwala.
Madwala further said that these children had different fathers. Iyapha’s father is in Durban, while Athini’s father had passed away. She said she does not know anything about the other two fathers because she never saw them.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu confirmed that police are investigating three cases of murder and an inquest.
“Preliminary investigation suggests that poverty may have been a motivating factor for this tragedy, “said Naidu.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, expressed her deep sadness by this tragedy.
Mene said if the motive was allegedly driven by poverty, this raises a profound concern about the daily struggles that some members of their community face.
“This is a stark reminder of the importance of reaching out to those in need, offering support and fostering a sense of family within our community.
