NELSPRUIT - Police are investigating a traumatic experience whereby a mother of three was hacked to death with her pair of twin sons and her daughter in her house at Phola Park, Thandukukhanya in Piet Retief.

The gruesome discovery was made by the police yesterday Friday 24 February 2023 at about 22:25 after the family members laid a complaint that they have made several attempts to get hold of the family members but failed.

Police in Piet Retief immediately responded to the complaint however they found the house locked.

They (police) had to force their entry into the house and were amazed by the discovery of a lifeless body in the kitchen.

When proceeding with the search, a 47-year-old woman's body, her 11-year-old son and her six-yearold daughter were found lying dead in one of the rooms and an axe believed to have been used to eliminate them was also found in the same room.

The body found in the kitchen was that of a twin brother of the 11-year-old boy's body that was found alongside his mother and sister.

Surprisingly their four roomed house was locked from outside raising suspicions that the heartless attacker locked them in, after the gruesome murder.

All victims were certified dead by paramedics on the scene.

It is further alleged that the victims were last seen alive on Tuesday 21 February 2023.

Piet Retief police would like the father of the six-year-old daughter, Thembinkosi Africa Shongwe (55) who cannot be located in his known address at Eziphunzini, Thandukukhanya in Piet Retief to come forward as it is believed that he may be of great assistance to police investigation.

Community members who might know his whereabouts must not hesitate to contact Captain Dumisani Gumbi on 082 493 1962 or call the police Crime Stop number 08600 10111 alternatively on MYSAPSAPP. Police guarantee that all received information will be treated with confidentiality.

In the meantime the Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi calls upon community members not to take law into their own hands and assist the police in fighting violence against women and children. "Attacking defenceless women and children is regarded being coward to those who supposed to protect them" said the General.

Source: South African Police Service