A mother from Butterworth in the Eastern Cape allegedly killed her three minor children before taking her own life.
According to col. Police spokesperson Priscilla Naidu visited a woman at around 07:00 on Sunday at the rondavel of the mother, Bongeka Buso (38), in the Tholeni area in Butterworth. She found Buso and her three children dead in the residence.
“Buso was hanging on a rope in the rondavel. Orabile Buso (8) and Oratile Buso (5) were found dead on the bed. Anathi Buso (14) was lying on the floor next to the bed. There was a knife in her neck,” says Naidu.
“The two younger children are suspected to have been poisoned.”
The motive for the murders is being investigated, but according to Naidu, poverty could have been a major driving force. Three cases of murder and an inquest were opened.
Lt. Gen. Nomthetheleli Mene, provincial police commissioner in the Eastern Cape, says it is worrying and heartbreaking that women who are faced with poverty can be driven to such extreme actions.
“Socio-economic challenges can exacerbate vulnerability to mental health issues. It is of key importance that poverty and the promotion of mental health support are tackled to prevent such tragedies,” says Mene.
“As we commemorate Women’s Month, I call on women to raise their voices and speak about their problems. It is important to address concerns immediately rather than waiting until they can no longer be resolved.”
