A 43‑year‑old man is in custody after allegedly bludgeoning his elderly parents to death in their Ndwedwe home. Pictures Credits: Reaction Unit South Africa
By Duncan Mnisi
KwaZulu-Natal – The small Thafamasi community in Ndwedwe is reeling after a gruesome double murder on Tuesday afternoon. A 43-year-old man was arrested for allegedly killing his 74-year-old mother, Phumzile Rachel Ngcobo, and 79-year-old father, Mziwamandla Ngcobo, in their home.
The tragedy came to light when Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) received a distress call at 13:26 from a local councillor, who reported that the elderly couple had been murdered hours earlier.
According to RUSA, the suspect, reportedly armed with a knife, prevented neighbours from entering the home, keeping them at the door. Officers and paramedics rushed to the scene, located approximately 33 km from RUSA headquarters. Inside a rondavel that served as the couple’s kitchen, they found both victims lying in a pool of blood.
Paramedics confirmed that both had died on the scene, suffering multiple stab wounds and severe facial injuries. Investigators recovered a knife and firewood logs believed to have been used in the attack.
The suspect was apprehended before officers entered the rondavel. He was treated for self-inflicted stab wounds after an apparent suicide attempt. Unconfirmed reports suggest he may have suffered from mental health issues.
Ndwedwe SAPS assisted in the investigation. “We are deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence,” said a spokesperson. “Our thoughts are with the family and the community during this difficult time.”
Authorities have withheld sensitive body-cam footage and images out of respect for the victims and their relatives, and the motive behind the attack remains under investigation.
The community is in shock, struggling to come to terms with the horrific incident. Further updates will be provided as the investigation continues.
