Dad had insisted that his grown-up children should look for jobs and fend for themselves, and had also wanted to divorce his wife

AN ENTIRE family has been arrested in connection with the murder of one of its members, a retired teacher in GaRankuwa, outside Pretoria, more than a year ago.

His body was buried in the backyard of the family home.

Abraham "Abbey" Moema, 64, of unit 8 in GaRankuwa, was allegedly killed on the night of March 1 and reported missing a few days later.

His remains were found in a shallow grave in the backyard on June 27 by two men hired by his only daughter, Matlhodi Moema, 32, to prepare the backyard for paving.

A month ago Matlhodi was questioned by the police at the family home. Her mother, Martha Moema, 58, a primary school teacher, told the police that she was not involved in the killing.

She was supported by the neighbours and some relatives of her late husband.

Shortly thereafter, the mother and her two sons, Moseki, 24, and Kgopotse, 27, were arrested for the alleged murder of their father.

The investigating officer in the case, Captain Happy Vilankulu, confirmed yesterday that Matlhodi had been arrested for complicity in the murder plot.

"I arrested her on Friday and she appeared with the other three family members in the GaRankuwa magistrate's court yesterday.

Moema's children allegedly attacked him as he was coming out of the toilet.

One of the brothers allegedly grabbed him from behind and the other stabbed him in the stomach, while their mother reportedly helped to pin him down to the floor.

They then buried his body in the backyard.

Moema had insisted that his grown-up children should look for jobs and fend for themselves and had also wanted to divorce his wife.