What could possibly lead a mother to kill her children?
This question haunts many people after a 32-year-old woman from Grabouw appeared in court last week on two counts of murder in connection with her sons’ deaths.
Melokuhle (5) and Lolwethu Mbalekwa (3) suffered gruesome deaths, probably screaming for their mother as their tiny bodies were engulfed by flames shortly before midnight on Thursday 17 November.
When Grabouw police arrived at the scene in the Waterworks informal settlement they reportedly found the tiny shack ablaze and the door locked.
Firefighters also attended the scene and managed to put the fire out before other structures in the vicinity suffered any serious damage. Unfortunately the two young boys’ lives could not be saved.
After interviewing neighbours and eyewitnesses, the police arrested the children’s mother, Nopheti Mbalekwa (32). She appeared in the Grabouw Magistrates’ Court the following day on two charges of murder.
Eric Ntabazalila, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority in the Western Cape, confirmed Mbalekwa had abandoned her bail application at her second court appearance on Monday 21 November.
“Her case has been postponed until 19 January 2023 for further investigation,” he added.
Mbalekwa’s mother, Ntombizonke Nodada (52), told District Mail she was “not okay” after what had happened.
She also told the newspaper the family was struggling to make the necessary funeral arrangements owing to a lack of funds.
Hermanus Times reached out to Chaplain Mark Robson of 1Life Rescue to find out what could possibly have led to the tragedy.
1Life Rescue is a non-profit trust organisation whose primary purpose is to provide a support service, firstly, to all men and women in uniform, and also the community in times of disaster and need. This includes chaplaincy services and trauma counselling.
Robson explained that various factors could have played a role – for instance, psychological problems, abuse from a boyfriend or partner or economic/financial strain.
“Whatever the reason, this is not normal,” he said. “A mother’s natural instinct is to protect, nurture and care for her children. Sometimes when their are economic challenges, the woman becomes so desperate because she does not know what to do.
“There is also the aspect of spiritual influences. Unfortunately when this happens, it takes away the ‘humanness’ of a person, leading to such incidents. It is a very controversial issue.”
In a similar case an Eastern Cape mother, Nomboleko Simayile, allegedly bludgeoned her four children to death. She late died after falling ill in custody. She reportedly claimed she was possessed by a demon who forced her to kill her children.
“There could also be psychiatric problems as a result of drug abuse, which unfortunately has become very common,” said Robson.
“These women very rarely reach out for help because certain parts of society view it as ‘bad’ to share your emotions.”
Robson urges women who feel they are under extreme pressure or loved ones who are worried about a family member’s mental health and safety to reach out to the many organisations who can assist with this.
“Generally churches will assist or staff of the Department Social Development. Staff of 1 Life Rescue are also available to provide counselling.”
