BETHLEHEM - On Friday, Maphephi Alinah Mokwena (31) and Mantwa Maria Mokwena (21) appeared before the Bethlehem Magistrates Court on three counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. The father (49) and two girls, aged 14 and 10 years died of poisoning, whilst a third girl (11) survived.
On Wednesday morning, 22 June 2022, the deceased were served brown beans soup by Maria Mokwena before they went to school and work. The children complained of stomach pain at school and were taken to hospital where they lost their lives. Their father also fell ill while at work and was taken to hospital where he also passed away.
On Thursday, 23 June 2022, the post-mortem revealed that the cause of death is poisoning. During further investigation, the mother of the children admitted that she bought poison called Temik to poison the soup. She was arrested and detained at Bethlehem police station.
Maphephi is remanded in custody till the 30 June 2022 for formal bail application, while Mantwa is released on warning and will appear again on the same date.
Source: South African Police Service