News / International
MDC-T woman may have killed son, self in the UK
04 Dec 2013 at 10:07hrs | Views
Catherine Mhlaba and her son Beki Ali pictured in Vic Falls
A Zimbabwean woman may have been responsible for killing her son and taking her own life by starting a car fire in Thorpe Bay, Essex on Tuesday evening, UK police said.
Officers believe the bodies in the black Vauxhall Vectra are those of Catherine Mhlaba, 45, of Blythe Avenue, Shoebury, and her 16-year-old son Beki Ali, who suffered from extreme global delay - meaning he had a mental age of about six-years-old.
Catherine updated here WhatApps status just before the incident saying " It is with my soul..... Kuhle nje moya wami"
However, cops said formal identification is likely to take several weeks.
The tragic deaths are being investigated by detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate and their investigation is currently looking at the possibility that Catherine Mhlaba was responsible for killing her son and taking her own life by starting the fire inside the car.
It is understood Catherine was the daughter of a founder member of the Movement for Democratic Change.
Reports suggest she played a key role in Southend's MDC branch.
Detectives are appealing for anyone with information to contact them at Southend on 101.
They are particularly keen to hear from a dog walker who may have been in the area at about 5.20pm or anyone who may have seen the car at any time either before or during the fire.
Police are aware some people may have taken moving footage or images on mobile devices at the time and would ask for these to be made available to detectives.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the car explode and no other cars are thought to be involved.
Fire crews from Southend and Shoebury were called to the scene in Thorpe Esplanade last night.
The firefighters battled the flames but could not save the mum and her son.
Crews were first called to the incident at about 5.20pm.
The fire was put out by 5.50pm.
Officers believe the bodies in the black Vauxhall Vectra are those of Catherine Mhlaba, 45, of Blythe Avenue, Shoebury, and her 16-year-old son Beki Ali, who suffered from extreme global delay - meaning he had a mental age of about six-years-old.
Catherine updated here WhatApps status just before the incident saying " It is with my soul..... Kuhle nje moya wami"
However, cops said formal identification is likely to take several weeks.
The tragic deaths are being investigated by detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate and their investigation is currently looking at the possibility that Catherine Mhlaba was responsible for killing her son and taking her own life by starting the fire inside the car.
It is understood Catherine was the daughter of a founder member of the Movement for Democratic Change.
Reports suggest she played a key role in Southend's MDC branch.
They are particularly keen to hear from a dog walker who may have been in the area at about 5.20pm or anyone who may have seen the car at any time either before or during the fire.
Police are aware some people may have taken moving footage or images on mobile devices at the time and would ask for these to be made available to detectives.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the car explode and no other cars are thought to be involved.
Fire crews from Southend and Shoebury were called to the scene in Thorpe Esplanade last night.
The firefighters battled the flames but could not save the mum and her son.
Crews were first called to the incident at about 5.20pm.
The fire was put out by 5.50pm.
Source - Echo
