Tots murder: Police find 'goodbye' video

By Andrew Alderson, Chief Reporter

A heartbreaking video of two children saying “Goodbye mummy” before they were strangled has been discovered by police.

Detectives are studying the footage of Theo Molemohi, two, and his four-year-old sister Yolanda, who were found unconscious by their mother at their home in Manchester on Wednesday. They died later the same day.

Their Zimbabwean father, Petros Mwashita, 37, who is thought to have taken an overdose, was treated in hospital after collapsing next to his children. He was arrested on suspicion of murder and is now in custody being questioned by officers. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are examining the video, which was found in the flat in prominent position as if left deliberately.

The video, which is thought to have been made last weekend, is understood to show the children playing happily and watching television. However, at one point in the video, they turn to the camera and say: “Goodbye mummy”. The father is with the children in some of the footage.

A police spokeswoman said: “GMP can confirm a videotape was found in the flat, the contents of which form part of the investigation. The tape does not show the murders or any acts of violence. It takes the form of a family video featuring children playing in the flat.”

The children’s mother, Morongoe Molemohi, has paid tribute to Yolanda and Theo and said: “I take pride in knowing that they were polite, caring, happy babies. I will always remain proud to be their mother. Their lives were short but they lived it to their full potential. I love them very much and they will always be a beautiful part of me.”

The children’s parents, who were separated, are originally from Zimbabwe and have lived in England for about six years. Ms Molemohi, who was separated from the children’s father, found her son and daughter in their Whalley Road flat in Manchester when she returned to collect some clothes.

Det Supt Geoff Wessell, of GMP, has said that the incident was “horrendous”. He added of the mother: “She had gone back for clothes and let herself in and was confronted by this traumatic scene.”

Mr Mwashita was interviewed for the first time by police on Friday. He spent two days in hospital after collapsing when arrested. According to local reporters, he had taken an overdose of prescription tablets.

Ms Molemohi, 30, a university student, had moved out of the family home in Lansbury House – a three-storey housing association block of flats – after the breakdown of her marriage. She and her children had been rehoused by Manchester council but she had agreed that they could stay with their father for a few days. Ms Molemohi had visited the children at the flat the evening before she found them dead.

Police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths of the two children. Source: The UK Telegraph