Shell-shocked court officials pay tribute to slain Durban magistrate

Interpreters, clerks, prosecutors and magistrates gathered in court G at the Durban Magistrate's Court on Thursday morning to pay tribute to slain magistrate Bonge Tenza.

Flowers were placed on the court bench and on her empty chair, and her colleagues lit candles.

"Many people came. We are all shell-shocked," magistrate Jackie Jonck told TimesLIVE.

The  bloodied bodies of Tenza, her court interpreter husband Sandile Mkhize and three children - aged between nine and 17 years old - were found by police and paramedics at the couple's Montclair home, south of Durban, on Wednesday afternoon. Police suspect Mkhize shot his family before turning the gun on himself.

"Bonge was the humblest, most hard-working magistrate. She always had a smile on her face. She helped wherever she could and shared her knowledge with those junior to her.

"We are all sitting here ... We are struggling to cope with our rolls. Counsellors are coming in and we hope that will help us cope," she said.

Jonck said no one had any idea of what she was going though "and we still don't".

"She was a very private person. This should not have happened to her. It shouldn't happen to anyone. We only wish she had talked to one of us. Maybe we could have helped her.

"We are going to miss her dearly."

Another magistrate, who did not wish to be named, said: "I am so angry at him. How dare he kill my friend."

However, Mkhize was equally well liked.

His colleagues said he, too, was helpful, friendly and would gladly share a packet of chips.

"He did his job well," one said. "And he coped with the stresses of court 10" (the court of first appearance for all serious cases).

Police are investigating four counts of murder and an inquest docket has been opened.