A father hanged his three children and a stepdaughter because his wife was planning a divorce, a court has heard.
Sibusiso Mpungose, 44, is said to have waited until his teacher wife Xolisile Mpungose, 42, went to work before committing the heinous crime.
He allegedly dropped his three children – Kuhlekonke, 4, Khwezi, 6, and Sphesihile, 10 – and stepdaughter Ayakha Jiyane, 16, at their house after fetching them from school in Pinetown, South Africa.
It is reported Mpungose ordered his 10-year-old son to buy sweets while hanged the two youngest kids with their school belts.
The bodies were found shortly after 2.30pm on Tuesday.
KwaZulu-Natal police found three bodies at home while the body of the 16-year-old was discovered hanging from a tree outside.
MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza from KZN Social Development told News24 that Mpungose had to separate the teenage girl from her siblings ‘to ensure that she did not rescue them’ and added that ‘she was killed alone in the bush.
According to Sun Online, police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbhele said: “He will face four counts of murder.
“The children’s mother learned that the father had gone to fetch the children and became suspicious that he was up to something and went to the police for assistance.
“Police went to the house with the mother of the children and on entering the house found two children hanging in the main bedroom and another hanging in another room.
“The mother then went to the High School where the teenager was schooling but discovered the suspect had come to fetch her and the police started a search to find her.”
Mum Xolisile told News24 that the police had to break into the house because Mpungose had changed the house locks.
Mpungose appeared at Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Friday and rejected an offer of bail.
He will remain in police custody until the trial begins on October 9.
A memorial service for the 16-year-old took place at her school where mum Xolisile was also in attendance.
Source: The Mirror
