It is said that a mother’s love knows no bounds, and that is why society is often left reeling when a mother is the one that harms her children.
Such is the case for an Eastern Cape community in Gcuwa, Tholeni, where they woke up to the news of a triple murder and suicide.
It is alleged that Bongeka Buso (38) killed her three children, before taking her own life. The four bodies were discovered by a woman who was visiting Bongeka’s rondavel around 7am on Sunday morning.
She was found hanging from a rope in the rondavel while her two other children, Orabile Buso (8) and Oratile Buso (5), were found dead on the bed. Anathi Buso, about 14 years old was found lying on the floor next to the bed with a knife in her neck.
It is suspected that the two younger children were poisoned. The motive for the deaths are not known, however, it is suspected that it could be driven by poverty.
A case of murder x3 and an inquest has been opened for investigation.
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Eastern Cape police provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene has expressed sadness and concern following the egregious deaths.
“It is a deeply concerning and heart-breaking issue that women facing poverty can be driven to such despair. Socioeconomic challenges can exacerbate their vulnerability to mental health issues. Addressing poverty and promoting mental health support are crucial to prevent such tragedies.
“As we commemorate Women’s Month, I urge women to raise their voices and speak out. It is crucial to address concerns promptly rather than waiting until they become more difficult to resolve.”
Community member Zamani Maqoko, who is also a pastor in the area, says their village has never had a parent allegedly take the lives of their own children like this before.
“Things do happen, but we have never seen a parent do this. We hear of things like this happening in far away places and we do not expect them to happen here.
“It had only been a few years where we had the issue of the man killing women and children, and now this."
Tholeni is the home of Bulelani Mabhayi who was dubbed The Monster of Tholeni after he terrorised that community between 2007 and 2012. He murdered 20 women and children. He would rape his victims before killing them. His youngest victim was 14 months old and his eldest was 79 years old. In September 2013 he was sentenced to life imprisonment.
“It is a pity that the younger generation does not want to talk about their problems because maybe someone could have helped. Even us as church, we would have helped in whatever way we could. She did not come to our church, but as churches in this area, we always step in when there is a situation that needs to be addressed, even if the person is not a member of our church because it affects the community,” says Zamani.
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He says he was at Cunningham Senior Secondary School, where Anathi went to school, and that the learners and teachers are not taking the news well.
Petros Majola, director at Khula Community Development Project, a children's rights advocacy group, says the matter must be thoroughly investigated.
“We need to understand if this lady never offloaded with anyone, because now we are left with unanswered questions because she is not here.
“I am appealing to government to sit down with the relevant people, because are looking at issues of mental health and others. I am asking for an intervention in terms of mental health programmes.
“We are shocked and disappointed that in this day and time, there are people who want to take the lives of innocent angels. We need to understand what drove the mother to commit such a crime.”
