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A South African mother identified as Zinhle Maditla on Monday September 9, pleaded guilty to a four count charge of killing her four children with rat poison.
The family of the 25-year-old woman who was arrested December last year, made a gruesome discovery after receiving a phone call from her, saying she had left them a Christmas present in her room.
Upon arriving at the house in Klarinet, the family found the bodies of Minenhle, 8; Blessing, 6; Shanique, 4; and Ettiene, 11 months, wrapped in blankets in the house. The bodies were in the early stages of decomposition when they were found.
Maditla confessed to “intentionally and unlawfully” taking the young lives. She said she carried out the murders after being left emotionally broken upon discovering that the children’s father was seeing another woman.
In her plea statement which was read out by her lawyer, Maditla revealed she also took the rat poison. She went on to ask the court for mercy.
“I admit I have no defence in law for my conduct on that day. I request the court for mercy.
“I went back home, I sat in the taxi emotional and crying I saw a hawker selling rat poison I took R10 and bought poison with the intention to kill myself and my children” she said.
The case was adjourned to Tuesday, September 10