‘Toxic relationship’ ends in horror as dad allegedly kills kids
Kenya KamboweOnkani
The community of Onkani village in the Oshikoto Region was left reeling on Monday after a 33-year-old man, who previously survived a suicide attempt, allegedly murdered his two children – a four-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son – on Sunday.
The suspect, who is expected to appear in court soon, handed himself over to the Okatope Police Station on Monday and was subsequently arrested.
Speaking to Namibian Sun yesterday, the suspect’s mother, Selma Thomas, said her son had arrived from Windhoek on Friday.
“When he arrived, I asked him why the children’s mother was not with him. He said they had been fighting and their relationship was falling apart,” she recalled.
Thomas added that she later received a call from the children’s mother, who told her the suspect had threatened to kill her.
“Their relationship was toxic. On the day he left Windhoek, she even tried to involve the police, but they could not find him because he was already on his way north,” Thomas recounted.
Despite the tension, she said her son showed no visible signs of distress when he arrived home, and he continued to display affection towards his children.
Unimaginable horror
On Sunday, the children had attended church with other youngsters from the household. Later in the day, the suspect allegedly took the two victims aside, telling the other children he was taking them to the nearby road.
He allegedly strangled them before fleeing.
“When I came home that afternoon and did not find them, I was told my son had taken the children to the road. Soon after, I started receiving calls from relatives who said he had sent them text messages confessing to killing his children and indicating where their bodies could be found,” Thomas said.
The bodies were discovered by family members and villagers near a community water point, about 300 metres from the family homestead. Police were called to the scene.
“I did not go there because I was in shock and could not believe what was happening,” Thomas said.
She added that when the children’s mother was informed of the tragedy in Windhoek, she fainted and had to be rushed to hospital.
Grief-stricken family
Yesterday afternoon, Oshikoto governor Sacky Kathindi, accompanied by senior police officers and regional councillors, visited the grieving family to offer condolences.
Thomas further revealed that her son had previously attempted suicide but survived. “The ropes he used were brought home and he was prayed for before he returned to Windhoek,” she said.
Police investigations into the matter are ongoing.
[email protected]
The community of Onkani village in the Oshikoto Region was left reeling on Monday after a 33-year-old man, who previously survived a suicide attempt, allegedly murdered his two children – a four-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son – on Sunday.
The suspect, who is expected to appear in court soon, handed himself over to the Okatope Police Station on Monday and was subsequently arrested.
Speaking to Namibian Sun yesterday, the suspect’s mother, Selma Thomas, said her son had arrived from Windhoek on Friday.
“When he arrived, I asked him why the children’s mother was not with him. He said they had been fighting and their relationship was falling apart,” she recalled.
Thomas added that she later received a call from the children’s mother, who told her the suspect had threatened to kill her.
“Their relationship was toxic. On the day he left Windhoek, she even tried to involve the police, but they could not find him because he was already on his way north,” Thomas recounted.
Despite the tension, she said her son showed no visible signs of distress when he arrived home, and he continued to display affection towards his children.
Unimaginable horror
On Sunday, the children had attended church with other youngsters from the household. Later in the day, the suspect allegedly took the two victims aside, telling the other children he was taking them to the nearby road.
He allegedly strangled them before fleeing.
“When I came home that afternoon and did not find them, I was told my son had taken the children to the road. Soon after, I started receiving calls from relatives who said he had sent them text messages confessing to killing his children and indicating where their bodies could be found,” Thomas said.
The bodies were discovered by family members and villagers near a community water point, about 300 metres from the family homestead. Police were called to the scene.
“I did not go there because I was in shock and could not believe what was happening,” Thomas said.
She added that when the children’s mother was informed of the tragedy in Windhoek, she fainted and had to be rushed to hospital.
Grief-stricken family
Yesterday afternoon, Oshikoto governor Sacky Kathindi, accompanied by senior police officers and regional councillors, visited the grieving family to offer condolences.
Thomas further revealed that her son had previously attempted suicide but survived. “The ropes he used were brought home and he was prayed for before he returned to Windhoek,” she said.
Police investigations into the matter are ongoing.
[email protected]
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article