THIS year started on a bad note, with the shocking news of Tembisa Hospital assistant nurse Lebo Monene (30) being shot dead within the premises by her police officer boyfriend, Lucky Mudua (30).
He later tried to commit suicide but failed. Lebo’s family claimed the cop was abusive, and were not happy when he was granted bail in September. He is wheelchair-bound, and the murder trial against him is ongoing.
READ THE ARTICLE: 'BULLY' COP KILLS NURSE LEBO!As the country was trying to recover from this, a father of five from Ratanda poisoned four of his five kids after mixing an energy drink with galephirime (rat poison).
Brothers Katleho (16), Lehlohonolo Khoabane (13) and Teboho Ngcongwane (6) died within minutes of each other at their schools while Neo Khoabane (11) survived. The fifth child refused to drink the poison.
Their father (40), who tried to commit suicide, later died at Heidelberg Hospital under police guard. These shocking murders saw the public pulling resources to give the kids a decent funeral.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE: ‘Dad asked for forgiveness!’
Then in February in Daveyton, a missing 4-5 stopped a funeral after the deceased, Mpho Tjale (18), was found mutilated when his family went to prepare his body for a funeral at a mortuary. This infuriated residents and the family. To this day, parents Bellium (48) and Portia (39) Tjale are still seeking answers.
The owner of the mortuary denied any knowledge of the whereabouts of the body part.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE: MISSING 4-5 STOPS FUNERAL!
Another story that left readers in shock was that of Bokgabo Poo (four), who was kidnapped from a park while playing with her friends.
Her body was later found dumped, with some of her parts missing. The incident united residents of Wattville, who came together to search for Bokgabo.
The suspect, Ntokozo Zikhali, was finally arrested. During his appearance in the Benoni Regional Court, Bokgabo’s father Irvin Ndlovu (32) jumped to grab him from the box.
Prophet Paseka “Mboro” Motsoeneng added to the fire when he visited the family of the deceased, claiming that the suspect was his spiritual son and asking for forgiveness. But he was kicked out by residents, who felt that he was insulting the family. The suspect is undergoing trial.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE: Gogo found Bokgabo's leg in her yard!
The killing of six magoshas also sent shock waves across the country. The police were called by residents due to a foul smell coming from a building in central Joburg. The decomposed bodies were discovered in October.
Members of Sisonke, a sex workers non-profit organisation, came in large numbers to show solidarity to the deceased. A 21-year-old accused is undergoing trial.
