Family Reacts to Axe Murders

Death is a sad reality but it is hard to put into words the immensity of the loss when several members of the family are killed in one attack. The emotional reaction is compounded when the killer is another member of the family. When the killer is a teenager, it leaves the remaining family members broken.

According to Eye Witness News, these were the words of the grandfather whose family was axed to death by his 14 year old grandson. He said: “I am not okay, I am broken. I am now all alone.” He found the bodies of his wife, his daughter, 7 year old grandson and 3 month old granddaughter on Friday.

This Monday, the elderly man spoke to the media about how he discovered his family in different parts of the home. He said a brick was thrown through the window of the room he usually sleeps in. When he woke up, he saw his wife on the floor with blood all around her. He went outside and saw the body of his daughter under a tree. He found the younger children thereafter.

The family lives in Etwatwa, near Benoni, and they cannot afford to bury the four family members. They can only rely on donations for the funeral. This is why the Ekhurhuleni Mayor Mondli Gungubele has put together a task team of relevant professionals to assist the family. His spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, said: “That is why we’ll be engaging with them as we move along to see what their plans are in terms of the funerals.”

Satanism has been blamed for this vicious attack. A neighbour reportedly said that the teenager told him that something triggered him to sacrifice his family in honour of the full moon. The neighbour also said that the boy had satanic beliefs. An uncle thinks that the teenager’s violent streak was fuelled by marijuana.

The teenager is being treated for injuries sustained when a mob assaulted him shortly after the murders. He is scheduled to appear in court shortly after his release from hospital.