Mamelodi community mourns murdered 14-year-old twins

Hundreds of residents marched from Maseko Shopping Complex before lighting candles outside the home of 14-year-old twin brothers Bonolo and Botlhale Makena in Mamelodi West on Thursday, October 8.

Their mother, Merriam Makgopa Makena (47), found the boys dead with multiple stab wounds when she returned home from work on October 2.

Community members gathered for an emotional memorial service and candlelight vigil led by police, the Mamelodi West Community Policing Forum (CPF), non-governmental organisations, and church ministers.

The memorial events started with an awareness walk against gender-based violence and criminality, distributing pamphlets before proceeding to a service at Funanani Skills Centre and a vigil at the family home.

Speaking from her home in Mamelodi West, the boys’ mother said she discovered her two sons on top of their bed.

She said she left her children in the morning and instructed one of the twins to lock the gate when he woke up.

When she returned from work and entered the house, she discovered blood in the kitchen.

“It’s like my children were killed in the kitchen with a knife and they were then taken to their bedroom and put on top of their bed,” she said.

“The twins were my only children,” she added.

Bonolo loved playing soccer and wanted to play for Mamelodi Sundowns, while his brother Botlhale was passionate about fashion.

She said whoever committed the murders also stole three cellphones.

Pastor Johannes Magoro, chairperson of the South African Council of Churches Greater Tshwane, said the killings should stop immediately.

“This is a silent and peaceful march, and the perpetrators must be stopped and jailed,” Magoro said.

“We are strengthening the family through prayers. We pray with them, we offer sermons, and let the spiritual power get into their bodies for the purpose of healing and finding peace. The killers can run, but they can’t hide,” he said.

Mamelodi West CPF spokesperson Eddie Mnguni said what happened to the boys has devastated the whole community.

“We have not yet recovered from the shock,” Mnguni said. “We believe that sooner or later the people who committed this crime will be arrested.”

Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed no arrests have been made.

Nevhuhulwi said the circumstances surrounding the killings remain unclear and police have not confirmed a motive.

Nevhuhulwi urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact the police.

The brothers were laid to rest on Saturday.

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