THE parents of three maskandi artists who were murdered in Phumula Mapleton in Ekurhuleni two weeks ago have accused Dawn Park police of dragging their feet.

The trio of Lebohang Dlamini, Lehlohonolo Mofokeng and Mxolisi Hlabeni were members of maskandi group Abafana Bakamolo Bangempela. They were stabbed to death on July 2 at a local tavern.

After two weeks since the murders, police were yet to open a case.

The maskandi artists were buried in a joint funeral service last week in Phumula. Sowetan visited two of the three families yesterday who expressed dissatisfaction about how the case was being handled by police.

Mokete Mofokeng, Lehlohonolo's father, wept as he explained how police responded to the murder after seven hours. He said even the police officer who came did not take any statement, but just wanted to confirm the name and surname of the deceased. Mofokeng said police were overlooking the case because he was poor.

"I don't think I will ever have faith in our police officers after what happened. They are doing this to me because I am not working and my wife is not working, so we are worthless," he said.

Mofokeng added: "My son was a good boy; he was a pastor and loved preaching the word of God. But he died like a criminal."

Mxolisi's family also confirmed that police only came after seven hours and did not take any statements. Florence Hlabeni, Mxolisi's grandmother, said they were hurt by lack of urgency from police.

She said a day after the trio died, a woman who identified herself as an IPID (Independent Police Investigative Directorate) official visited the house and promised to send police to investigate the matter.

"Since the woman left there is no police who came. Last week we buried them. We are actually confused, we don't know what to do."

Hlabeni said the alleged killers were known for their violent behaviour in the area.

"One of them has gone back home in Mtubatuba (KwaZulu-Natal)," she said.

Provincial spokesman Captain Mavela Masondo has promised to follow up the matter.