UPDATE: Veli Samuel Ngcongwane the father who allegedly spiked the energy drink to his three sons who later died when they were rushed to hospital has since been confirmed dead in Gauteng hospital on Friday.
The fourth sibling is fighting for his life in hospital. The 39-year-old father was facing charges of murder and attempted of his children.
Two of the deceased Katleho Khoabane, 13, and Tebogo Ngcongwane, 6 were attending Ratandaa Primary School and Lehlogonolo Khoabane, 16, Khanya Lesedi Secondary School in Heidelberg.
“The South African Police Service can confirm that Veli Samuel Ngcongwane, the father charged with the murder and attempted murder of his children following a poisoning incident, has died in hospital on 10 June,” Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said.
After poisoning his kids Mr. Veli was admitted to hospital after several failed suicide attempts, he was found unconscious at the family’s home just outside Heidelberg before he was taken to hospital under police guard. The family said he took his wife’s picture and after stabbing himself, placed the image on his chest.
Family spokesperson Johannes Khoabane Speaking to media outside the family home in Ratanda on Friday, Khoabane said: “The nurses that were helping us at the clinic say he apologized. They said he is apologizing. He says he doesn’t know what he was doing. “We have no idea what happened. All of us want to know what happened. We asked his wife and she said they had not fought. I don’t know what happened. The only person who knows is him. We are stuck, he must tell us why he did that.”
Gauteng Department of Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi shared words of encouragement with the family, “Firstly, I wish to convey my sincerest condolences to the family, particularly the mother, of the deceased learners. I further extend my condolences to friends, fellow learners, and teachers of the learners, especially those who had witnessed these tragic incidents, Please don’t be scared to raise your hand and say I need help” MEC Lesufi said.
The @EducationGP1 MEC @Lesufi addressed all the community members, political leaders, schools and family members present at the funeral of Lehlohonolo Khoabane (16), Katleho Khoabane (13) & Teboho Ngcongwane (6) from Ratanda Primary School & Khanya-Lesedi School of Specialisation pic.twitter.com/diWJQkszK6
— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) June 4, 2022
The Department of Education has since dispatched its Psycho-Social Support Unit to the affected schools to offer counseling to the school community at large. The services have also been offered to the bereaved family.
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