Two kids brutally murdered
Two children were brutally killed by their father on Saturday morning at Tokologo, Mhluzi, in an apparent act on revenge aimed towards his ex-girlfriend.
Jabulani Mahlangu (36) openly admitted to the murder just minutes after slicing the throats of 11 year old Deserver Mahlangu and eight year old Khanyisile Brightness Mahlangu at his home at Stand 230 – just metres away from their mothers’ house where she sat completely unaware.
Thandeka Mahlangu was too emotional to speak to the Middelburg Observer on Monday morning. Her best friend, Nthabiseng Ntshegi, said that the incident has rocked the community and everyone was in shock.
“Thandeka dumped Jabulani and he’s been resentful ever since. He was constantly texting and threatening her, saying he would kill himself, kill the children or kill all of them,” she said.
“We had no idea he would take it to this extent and actually murder his own children”.
According to Nthabiseng, on the morning of the double murder Jabulani called Thandeka and asked to take the two children to McDonald’s.
“He lured them into his house. Thandeka bathed them and put on new clothes. The two kids were so excited about going to McDonald’s and she didn’t mind because he was the father.”
But the happiness was short-lived.
Nthabiseng said that Jabulani first called the eldest child, Deserver, to the house, took him to a back room and slit his throat. Minutes later the daughter, Khanyisile arrived and he did the same. Jabulani then came to Thandeka’s house and she asked him: Where are my children? He didn’t answer and she asked him again upon which he replied: “I just killed your children”.
Thandeka couldn’t believe it and ran to the house and found her two beautiful children covered in blood.
The pain and devastation rippled throughout the community. There was also lots of anger.
“A mob of hundreds of people surrounded the house and told Police that this man will not come out alive. There was so much anger and people wanted to kill him”.
The Mhluzi SAPS was forced to use rubber bullets to disperse the crowd and arrest the man. During the initial interrogation, Jabulani admitted to killing the two children and even produced the murder weapon before police, said to be a sharp kitchen knife.
A neighbour said that he’d known Jabulani for many years and was in disbelief at the incident.
“He’s been living here for many years and everyone around here knows him. People can’t believe it, we all thought he was a nice guy”.
Mhluzi SAPS spokesperson Nelisiwe Masemola confirmed that Jabulani Mahlangu was charged with murder and said that he will only appear before the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
“The Police are still busy with preliminary investigations which includes getting all statements before going to court,” she said.
• Deserver Mahlangu was a learner at Middelburg Mine School and Khanyisile Brightness Mahlangu attended Nthombeni Primary School.
Funeral arrangements for the two children were not finalized at the time of going to print.
