Staff Reporter
Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza has condemned the killing of a family of five at a farm in the eastern Free State, calling it a barbaric act.
In a statement, the minister said she had learnt with shock of the killing of the family at Toekoms Farm just outside Harrismith which was discovered on Saturday.
“I . . . call upon the law-enforcement agencies to work around the clock to arrest whoever has done this gruesome act,” she said.
Didiza emphasised safety in farming communities is of paramount importance, as farmers play a very crucial role in the agriculture sector, especially in the production of food.
Police say the gruesome killing was discovered by a traditional healer who visited the family on Saturday morning.
The traditional healer, according to the police, had an appointment with the family.
However, upon arrival, the traditional healer noticed that the door to the house was not locked and there was no one responding to his knock on the door.
He then pushed the door and saw a hand protruding from behind the sitting room door and immediately alerted a neighbour.
The police were called and when they searched the house, they found four bodies with multiple stab wounds in one room and a fifth in one of the bedrooms.
The motive behind the killings remains unknown and no one has been arrested.
Meanwhile, the police have named the deceased as Mgwenika John Twala, 46, who is the father of the family, the mother Sonto Selina Maloka, 41, their sons Zama Maloka, 20, and Mfanafuthi Justine Maloka, 17, and daughter Nompumelelo Emily Maloka, six.
The police say the stab wounds on their bodies are believed to have been inflicted with a sharp object.
The little girl is suspected to have been strangled as well.
A post-mortem is yet to be conducted so as to determine the exact cause of death.
The police are appealing to anyone with information on what could have transpired or who the culprits are to contact Detective Captain Boy Makubo on 082 332 3418 or call Crime Stop at 08600 10111, or alternatively send information via MySAPS App.