Kids killed in moment of madness
Jabulani Mahlangu, the 37 year old man accused of the senseless murder of his two children in Tokologo, Mhluzi, has been described by those who knew him as a "decent man who was trustworthy and hardworking".
Friends and family are still coming to terms with the violent and brutal slayings of 11 year old Deserver Mahlangu and eight year old Khanyisile Brightness Mahlangu, both of whose throats were slit with a kitchen knife at Jabulani’s home on Saturday.
They say it was a “moment of madness” that they never saw coming.
Jabulani’s aunt, Tryphina Mnguni, told the Middelburg Observer that he was a quiet man who never got into any sort of trouble.
“His mother passed away many years ago so I took him into my home in Extension 24. He lived with me for many years and was a very humble person. He was skillful and hardworking, and I’m still in shock at what happened. It just doesn’t add up. It’s not his personality, it makes no sense at all”.
Tryphina said that when she got the news she was in shock.
“I just couldn’t believe it. Jabulani always seemed happy and jovial. He never spoke to us about any problem. We didn’t even notice that he was unhappy or that something was troubling him. Just the day before the murders he was talking to us and making jokes. He even said goodbye and gave us a big smile,” Tryphina said.
A family friend who also worked with Jabulani, Sophie Sibanyoni, was equally distraught.
“If you knew Jabulani the way we do, you’d know that he’d never be capable of such a brutal act. We all thought that he was content with life. We spoke all the time but he never once mentioned any domestic problems, or that he was having issues in his relationship. It’s so difficult to accept that he actually committed such a horrible crime,” Sophie said.
Jabulani’s employer, Ms Ria Roets, said that Jabulani was a man of many skills and was a reliable worker whom she trusted in her house.
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“He was a handyman who never said no to any job. He was always so friendly and always smiling. This is not the guy I know,” Ms Roets said.
With tears in her eyes, Tryphina added: “I just wish he told us that he was going through a difficult time. We would’ve helped him”.
• Jabulani Mahlangu was visibly beaten and battered when he appeared before the Middelburg Magistrates Court on Tuesday. His shirt was torn and dry blood covered his face as he struggled to stand upright before the Magistrate. He was remanded in custody until his bail application which takes place on Friday, 22 April.
• The funeral of Deserver Mahlangu and Khanyisile Brightness Mahlangu will take place at Kwazamokuhle, Hendrina, on Saturday at 09:00.
• See Page 2 for details on how Jabulani Mahlangu lured the two children to his house with the promise of McDonald’s before slitting their throats.
• Read also the story on how his employer describes their working relationship for the past 13 years with Jabulani.
