Mamelodi twins’ family believes killer was known to them

October 5, 2026 25

The family of the 14-year-old twins murdered in Mamelodi believes they may have been killed by someone they knew.

Bonolo and Bothlale Makena were found dead with multiple stab wounds at their home on Friday.

Their mother reportedly discovered their bodies in a bedroom when she returned from work. One of the boys was found covered with a blanket.

The family says the only items missing from the house are the boys’ cellphones and a PlayStation 4.

They say there were no signs of forced entry, raising questions about claims that the house had been broken into.

The twins’ aunt, Kagiso Mogale, says their mother is struggling to come to terms with the loss of her children.

The family is appealing to the community and anyone with information to come forward and assist police in bringing those responsible to justice.

Mamelodi twins’ family believes killer was known to them Lindiwe Mpanza

Civic movement, Not In My Name’s leader, Themba Masango, says no one should ever have to come home to such devastation.

“No words can fully express the pain of losing two children in this horrific manner. We extend our deepest condolences to their mother, their family, friends and the community of Mamelodi.

“These boys had lives to live, dreams to pursue and a future that should have been protected. Their deaths leave a family shattered and a community mourning.”

Masango has called on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to prioritise a thorough investigation.

“The protection of children must be reflected in the safety of their homes and communities, the urgency of our institutions and our collective refusal to accept violence as ordinary.”

Mamelodi twins’ family believes killer was known to them Lindiwe Mpanza

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng says the family and the Mamelodi community deserve justice, rather than what it describes as endless investigations that lead nowhere.

“These murders come as the country is still counting the bodies of women found dumped across Ekurhuleni, where at least 11 women have been found dead since July. Violence against women and children has become a daily reality in Gauteng, yet the state continues to fail those who depend on it for protection.”

The party says violence against women and children cannot be confronted without addressing the conditions it believes leave communities exposed to crime.

“We must also say plainly that the absence of urgency reflects the value placed on Black lives. Had these murders occurred in the leafy suburbs, the full machinery of the state would have descended on the area within hours. In Mamelodi and the townships of Ekurhuleni, Black lives are reduced to statistics and press briefings.”

Investigations into the murders continue, and no arrests have been made.