Police have taken one person in for questioning following the murders of 14-year-old Mamelodi twins Bonolo and Botlhale Makena, but no arrests have been made.
The development comes amid reports that a man was found in possession of items allegedly stolen from the boys’ home, including cellphones and a PlayStation 4 console. Police have not confirmed whether the person questioned is the man allegedly found with the items.
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that one person had been taken in for questioning but said she could not disclose further details.
“No one has been arrested. One person has been taken in for questioning. Not at liberty to divulge investigative information,” Nevhuhulwi said.
The twins were found with multiple stab wounds in a bedroom at their Mamelodi West home on Friday, October 2. Their mother, Merriam Makgopa Makena, reportedly discovered them when she returned from work.
She noticed blood on the floor before entering the bedroom, where she found her sons under a blanket.
The family has questioned why the cellphones and gaming console were reportedly taken while other belongings were left behind. Their aunt, Kagiso Mogale, said the family did not believe the killings were simply a robbery gone wrong.
“Nothing was missing besides those,” Mogale said, referring to the cellphones and PS4.
Relatives also said there were no apparent signs of forced entry. Police have not confirmed whether the killer knew the boys or established a motive for the attack.
Residents, church members, civic organisations and political parties marched from Maseko in Section D6 to Funanani Primary School in Mamelodi West last Thursday, where a memorial service was held for the twins. This was followed by a candlelight gathering at the family’s home.
Not In My Name International spokesperson Boitumelo Thage said members of the organisation had been with the family since the day the boys were killed. She described the murders as an injustice that should never have happened in the community.
Thage said the area was generally safe and that community policing forum members regularly patrolled it, making the killings a shock to residents.
“For us, I mean, it’s also very important that we call on the justice system to stop failing communities,” she said.
The brothers were buried at Garsfontein Cemetery on Saturday after a funeral service at the Ethiopian Catholic Church in Mamelodi West.
Their mother described the boys as having different interests. Bonolo dreamed of playing for Mamelodi Sundowns, while Botlhale was interested in fashion.
Ethiopian Catholic Church Bishop Mashilo Mangena said the boys regularly attended church classes and had asked him for memory verses shortly before their deaths.
“I baptised them. Now, I was looking forward to confirming them as full members of the church,” Mangena said.