News24.com | Man accused of killing Mpumalanga mom and her three children to face additional immigration charge

An Eswatini national was accused of the murder of a Mpumalanga woman and her three children.

• A man who has been arrested in connection with the murder of a Mpumalanga family is also facing immigration charges.
• Afrika Shongwe appeared in the Mkhondo Magistrate's Court on Monday.
• He is accused of the murder of Philisiwe Makhubu, 44, and her three children – 13-year-old twins Andile and Luyanda Nkosi, and six-year-old Siphelele Nkosi.

A man who has been arrested in connection with the murder of a Mpumalanga woman and her three children will also face an immigration-related charge.

Afrika Shongwe, 55, an Eswatini national, appeared in the Mkhondo Magistrate's Court on Monday.

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He is accused of the murder of Philisiwe Makhubu, 44, and her three children – 13-year-old twins Andile and Luyanda Nkosi, and six-year-old Siphelele Nkosi, said police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala.

"The accused has abandoned his bail application. He is charged with four counts of murder and contravention of the Immigration Act," said Mohlala.

News24 previously reported that one person was arrested after a woman and her three children were found hacked to death in their home on Friday evening.

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A bloodied axe was found in the house, which had been locked from the outside.

Police said officers arrived at the house on Friday at around 22:25, after relatives were unable to get hold of the family. The victims were allegedly last seen alive on Tuesday.

Police found the body of one of the twin sons in the kitchen, while the bodies of the mother, the other son and her daughter, as well as the axe, were found in one of the bedrooms.

Acting Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Speedy Mashilo applauded the police for the swift arrest.

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