The family of 14-year-old twin boys Bothlale and Bonolo Makena who were stabbed to death at their home in Mamelodi West is struggling to come to terms with their loss as questions surrounding the circumstances of their deaths remain unanswered.

The boys were found dead in their bedroom on Friday, October 2, after their mother returned home from work.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), police were called to the house and found the lifeless bodies of the twins, who had sustained multiple stab wounds.

For the family, the tragedy has been compounded by uncertainty over what happened inside the home.

The boys’ aunt, Kagiso Mogale, said the family could not understand why anyone would target the twins or what the motive could have been.

“It’s heartbreaking. We’re all devastated. She’s not doing well. She’s always crying. We are all shocked. Why would someone come in? And then we don’t understand what really happened,” Mogale said.

She said the family was also unsure whether the person responsible acted alone.

“The perpetrator, we don’t know if he was alone or not. We don’t know. And then they only took their phones and their PS4 only. And then all the other things that were still in the house, there was nothing missing beside those.”

Mogale said the boys’ mother discovered blood on the kitchen floor when she arrived home.

“When she got into the kitchen, she saw blood on the floor. And then when she went to the bedroom, that’s when she discovered. But later then, when she uncovered the other twin, he was covered with a blanket,” she said.

The family believes the circumstances do not point to a straightforward robbery, although the motive has not been established and the investigation is still under way.

“We believe that this is not robbery, because there was no forced entry,” Mogale said.

She described the moment the family was alerted to the tragedy as chaotic, saying the boys’ mother was unable to speak when she called her.

Mogale said neighbours came to the house to assist the distraught mother before relatives could get there.

The murders have sent shockwaves through the Mamelodi community and prompted calls for the protection of children from violence.

Government, through the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), condemned the killing and expressed its condolences to the boys’ family, friends and classmates.

“Children are the future of our nation, and every child lost to violence is a loss to the future we are building as a country. We must do everything in our power to protect our children. It is therefore a responsibility we all share,” the GCIS said.

Government said the loss of children in such circumstances was particularly distressing and called for communities and law-enforcement agencies to work together to ensure children can live, learn and grow in safe environments.

It said the circumstances surrounding the killings were under investigation and expressed confidence that police would work to identify those responsible.

Residents of Mamelodi and surrounding communities have been urged to provide police with any information that could assist the investigation.

Government has specifically cautioned residents against spreading unverified information, speculation or images on social media, saying this could further distress the family and potentially compromise the investigation.

The call comes as the family begins to navigate life without two children who should have had years ahead of them.

On Monday, Not In My Name International (NIMNI) was due to visit the bereaved family to offer condolences, solidarity and practical support.

NIMNI national spokesperson Boitumelo Thage said the organisation would donate groceries and other essential items to assist the family.

The organisation said grief would not end when public attention moved away from the case and called on the community to continue supporting the family while respecting its privacy and dignity.

NIMNI also called for justice for the twins and greater collective action to protect children from violence.

As police continue investigating the killings, the family is left with the unanswered questions of what happened inside their home and why the two brothers were targeted.

Police have urged anyone with information about the murders to contact their nearest police station, call Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or use the MySAPS app.