Nkayi village buries murdered mother and her 2 children

A sombre cloud hung over Dandadema Village in Nkayi, Matabeleland North Province, last Saturday as mourners gathered to lay to rest a young mother and her two children who were brutally murdered and burnt beyond recognition in South Africa.

The victims - 29-year-old Nomqhele Moyo, her eight-year-old daughter, and two-year-old son - were buried in their rural home two weeks after their tragic deaths in a suspected case of murder and arson in Tshepisong, Johannesburg.

Nkayi South Member of Parliament Jabulani Hadebe, who attended the burial, described the scene as deeply emotional and heartbreaking, saying the community was still reeling from the horrific nature of the crime.

"The late Nomqhele and her two children were laid to rest in Ward 22 near Zenka Mission," Hadebe said. "We are told that Nomqhele was part of a group of women who pulled together money and gave each member a lump sum at the end of each month. She received her contributions at the beginning of October and we understand that she was followed home by robbers."

According to reports from South African authorities, Moyo and her children were attacked while asleep in their home before being murdered and their bodies set alight.

"South African police determined that she, together with her children, were attacked, murdered and burnt beyond recognition," Hadebe added. "The charred bodies of Nomqhele and her youngest child had to be separated at the mortuary - a clear indication that she died trying to defend her children."

Family members say they suspect the attackers were people known to Moyo. Her cousin, Primrose Sibanda, said the family believes Moyo's killers were motivated by greed after learning she had received her "stokvel" (social club) payout.

"Whoever attacked her must have known that she had received a lot of money from other club members and decided to follow her home," Sibanda said. "She must have recognised her attackers, and they made a decision to silence her and the kids for good by murdering the whole family and burning their bodies."

She described Moyo as a hardworking and dedicated mother whose life was senselessly cut short.

"We are so traumatised as a family and still can't believe that a young mother and her little kids were brutally murdered for a few thousand rand," Sibanda said tearfully. "The robbers could have just taken the money and let the family live."

Matabeleland North police spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda said the case falls under South African jurisdiction, adding that investigations are being handled by authorities there.

"Cross-border crimes are investigated in the country where the crimes are committed, and in this case, South African authorities are mandated to investigate the alleged murder and arson," Inspector Banda said.

The brutal killings have left both the Nkayi community and Zimbabweans at large in shock, with many calling for justice and tighter security measures to protect cross-border residents from rising violence in South Africa.