MBILWI – More than a thousand mourners paid their last respects to the three young boys who had been hanged in their house in Mbilwi-Makanga last Monday night, during a ceremony at the Mbilwana Primary School in Mbilwi on Sunday.

The three children, Adivhaho (9), Alilali (7) and Mashudu Thavhanyedza (3), were allegedly killed by their father, Neville Ntanguleni Thavhanyedza (35), a teacher at Mamathieledzha Primary School in Mangondi. He has already appeared in court in connection with the incident. He did not attend the funeral, as he is still in custody.

The three boys were buried in one grave.

The councillor of Mbilwi-Makanga, a ward of the Thulamela municipality, Mr Lufuno Mudzanani, said the government is pleading with families who are experiencing problems to visit pastors, counsellors and social workers and not to try to solve their problems on their own. “Murder is never a solution,” he said.

A family spokesperson, Ms Avhatakali Maeba, Ntanguleni Thavhanyedza’s elder sister, told Mirror after the funeral service that the family is very thankful for the support they received from the community, schools, politicians and other dignitaries. “We as family are still shocked about what happened,” she said.

The father of three deceased was denied bail when he appeared on three charges of murder, and will appear in court on October 1.