A 33-year-old son has been arrested for allegedly killing his family members in a brutal attack with a knobkierrie in North West.
The man struck dead his father, mother, and sister in Shaleng Village. The incident, which took place on Friday night, has left the community reeling.
ALSO READ: Family Demands Remains Of Loved Ones Burnt Beyond Recognition in Horror Truck Fire
Man Arrested for Killing Family Members With Knobkierrie
Police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh said the family members were seated around a coffee table in their shack when the man allegedly struck his 74-year-old father on the head.
“Family members fled through a window and ran to the neighbours for help. The suspect then assaulted his mother (68) and sister (27) with a knobkierrie on their heads and fled the scene,” Myburgh said.
Emergency and Medical Rescue Services were called to the scene and declared all three victims dead.
The suspect was apprehended on Saturday in Shaleng Village after police received assistance from community members. He has been charged with triple murder and is set to appear in the Kgomotso Periodical Court.
North West police commissioner Lieutenant-General Sello Kwena condemned the gruesome act and thanked residents for their swift action in aiding the arrest.
“The police will work hard to ensure a successful prosecution,” Kwena said.
The incident has sparked outrage and concern among locals, who remain shaken by the tragedy. The suspect’s motive for the attack remains unclear, and investigations are ongoing.
This tragic case is the latest in a string of violent crimes that have plagued the area.
Gloomy 2024
In 2024, South Africa has witnessed several tragic incidents of family killings, highlighting concerning patterns of violence within households.
In January, Gauteng police investigated a triple murder after three family members were found dead in the back of a bakkie in Rondebult, Germiston. The victims, who had been stabbed to death, were the parents and sister of the 43-year-old suspect.
In September 2024, unknown gunmen shot dead seven members of the same family, including three children, in an execution-style killing in their home in rural KwaZulu-Natal. The motive for the attack remains unknown.