The police believe that the firearm and ammunition used to commit the atrocious killings of three family members in Doornkop was stolen by the suspect at his workplace.
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Emotions ran high during the memorial service of 13-year-old Olwethu Khubayi who was among the victims killed last weekend in Doornkop Block4 as community members heard the chilling details of how the incident occurred.
Visibly shattered schoolmates who could not contain their anguish at the gruesome murder broke out in tears and silent sobs as speakers took turns remembering the young learner.
“You didn’t deserve to die in this manner. We were still looking forward to going to high school,” said a learner who read a letter from his classmates.
Framed pictures and letters from peers were plugged up at the assembly with a stage rest in peace. Classmates, who had lit up candles, unveiled a giant picture memorial of their classmate and handed it over to the family.
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The Grade 7 learner was found lying in a pool of blood after he was gunned down along with his aunt Nkateko Khubayi at their home while the third victim two-year-old Nyeko Khubayi succumbed to his injuries at Leratong Hospital.
It is alleged that a suspect rocked up at the house said to be the sister-in-law’s house, looking for his wife who he believed was cheating on him. Reports suggest that he got embroiled in an argument which led him to a shooting spree after which he fled to his house in Lehae, where he held his children hostage.
During the memorial, speakers described him as a handsome and charismatic learner who was peaceful.
“We are shattered and broken as a family. I’m unable to articulate the words to describe the loss of Olwethu, we were a big family but now it’s just the three of us, our granny and two uncles. So it has been a traumatic experience,” said his uncle, Misapa Khubayi, who said the ordeal was a shock.
“Olwethu was a big dreamer, he would talk about becoming a pilot, or you would hear him say he wants to be an artist like myself.
“He was a very chilled boy, reserved in his approach and was always respectful, he knew that these were my elders and he loved people a lot,” he recalled.
According to the family, his biological mother passed away in 2017 and had been in the care of his grandmother. It is believed the grandmother and an uncle had gone out at the time of the incident.
Busisiwe Malinga, Principal of Mayibuye Primary commented, “The difficult matter was relaying the news to his class. It has been a hard week but we wanted to honour his memory, this hit us hard.
“When I received the news on Saturday, I immediately rushed to the scene and I was there until the forensics took the bodies. So we saw everything together with the class teacher. Even on Saturday we visited the family.”
Malinga adds that the school has been getting support and counselling for the traumatised staff and learners.
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“This child was neat and handsome. We never encountered any issues with him. His school work was always up to date and got high marks. He and another classmate would compete for position one and two so he was clever and dedicated to his studies and we thank his grandmother for that.”
Ward 50 Cllr, Bheki Mgaga and Cllr Phumlile Shange of ward 129 who previously visited the family with the MMC of Economic Development, Cllr Nomoya Mnisi to offer condolences and support pleaded with community members to report domestic issues to police officials, citing that the incident could have been prevented.
Urban News learnt that after the suspect was shot and killed by police at his residence, his wife revealed to authorities that she had dug a hole and buried the suspect’s firearm, in an attempt to protect herself and their two children.
The police have since opened a case of triple murder and an inquest.
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