Siblings’ murder ‘not the will of God’

A memorial service for four siblings who had their throats slit heard that their deaths were a purely criminal act.

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Johannesburg - The gruesome killings of the four Kekana siblings, who had their throats slit, allegedly by their father, wasn’t the will of God.

This was the view of South African Council of Churches Limpopo chairman Reverend Awedzani Nemaukwe during Thursday’s memorial service in Moletlane village, in Limpopo’s Zebediela region.

The children’s 36-year-old father, who now faces four counts of murder, was recovering in hospital under police guard. He sustained injuries to his throat after an apparent suicide attempt. He had, moments before he killed the boys on Sunday morning, phoned his wife and told her of his intentions.

Nemaukwe said he believed the killing of the boys, aged 13, 10, six and four, was purely criminal. He contradicted the views expressed by some other speakers, including ANC Women’s League secretary-general Meokgo Matuba, who believed everything happened because of God’s will.

“We want to stress that this is not the will of God. We have become a violent society as South Africans,” Nemaukwe said.

The murder of the children, who were killed execution-style on Sunday morning, had sent shock waves across the nation.

“Children are a gift from God and it’s our responsibility to take care of them,” said Nemaukwe.

Earlier, the local traditional leader, Chief Sello Kekana III, said the killings had depressed him.

“What happened here has never happened anywhere the world over,” he said.

“People tell me they’ll never come to Moletlane because here they say we slaughter people as if they are chickens,” the chief said.

Nemaukwe dismissed the Sepedi adage, “Monna ke nku o llela teng” (A man is like a sheep, he never cries aloud).

“This is rubbish and we must say it. As men, we’re emotional beings, we’re not like sheep,” said Nemaukwe.

Linah Masemene, the principal of Shikoane Primary School, where three of the boys were pupils, said the killing of the children had left teachers and pupils shocked.

She said she taught the boys’ father when he was still a child. “They were soft people and they never caused trouble at school, just like their father,” Masemene said.

Family representative Thomas Poto told the mourners who packed the giant white marquee that the boys’ father was known to be respectable.

“What happened to us should be the last. We don’t wish it to happen to any other family,” said Poto.

The boys’ mother appeared composed throughout the three-hour service, which was attended by senior ANCWL officials, National Council of Provinces chief whip Hunadi Mateme, ANC MP Masefako Dikgale and local MECs.

Limpopo ANC Youth League task team member Che Selane said: “We cannot be expected to clap hands when we are killed by our own parents.”

The service started on a solemn note. But a recitation of poems by three girls from the local Magatle Entertainment Group impressed many.

“We, the children of this nation, say ‘No! No to violence against women and children!’” one of their poems said in part.

At the conclusion, the girls, with their fists raised, evoked Nelson Mandela’s spirit. “We’re the children of Nelson Mandela… long live the spirit of Madiba, long live!”

In unison, the audience shouted back “Long live”.

The slain siblings will be buried on Saturday at the local cemetery.

moloko.moloto@inl.co.za

The Star