Staff Reporter
While the Free State is still reeling in shock after a family of six was found dead in their home, elsewhere in the province a young mother has been hospitalised after she allegedly poisoned herself and her two children who have since died.
In the latest case, provincial police spokesperson Colonel Thandi Mbambo said the police were called to a house in Tshiame C in Harrismith on Thursday morning by community members after they discovered the lifeless bodies of the children.
“On arrival at the scene, two bodies that were identified as Rethabile, nine, and Naledi, three months, were found,” Mbambo said in a statement.
“The lady, 31, who was identified as the mother to the deceased kids, was found lying on the floor,” she added.
It is alleged that a relative was awaken by the woman when she came knocking on the door at about 5am while carrying the younger child.
“She allegedly brought the kids one after the other, and indicated that she fed them poison and also drank it herself. After bringing the kids, she allegedly collapsed on the floor,” Mbambo said.
The two kids were certified dead at the scene while the mother was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
The motive behind the alleged killings and attempted suicide is still unknown.
A double murder case has been registered for further investigation.
Meanwhile, police in Thaba Nchu have opened an inquest into the mysterious death of six family members.
According to Mbambo, an employee of a hardware store went to Thaba Nchu Police Station on Wednesday afternoon to report that he had not seen his employer for 10 days.
She said the police then went to the given address and upon arrival they were welcomed by a foul smell and flies coming from the house.
They gained entry through a window as the doors were locked.
“Inside the house they found the lifeless bodies of a male estimated to be 44 years old, two girls aged about eight and 10, and a boy estimated to be about three years old,” Mbambo said.
“Inspecting further in the bedroom, a lifeless body of a female estimated to be about 38 years old was found and the body of another boy aged about 11 years was found in the bathroom.
“No physical injuries were seen on the bodies but all were found bloated.”
The deceased are believed to be from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and were staying in Thaba Nchu.
A postmortem will be conducted to determine the cause of the deaths.