Dr Hannelie Groenewald was in a meeting in Kabul when the Taliban wiped out her entire family at their Afghanistan compound, the Pretoria News reported on Saturday.

“An attack was expected on that day. Little did I know it would take place a few hours later at my house, killing everybody I dearly loved,” she told reporters.

“Everything was burnt to the ground, and it is only by a miracle of God that I had bodies to say goodbye to.”

She was part of a medical team meant to respond to any future attacks in Kabul.

On November 29, her husband Werner, son Jean-Pierrie and daughter Rode were killed when the Taliban stormed their compound.

“My husband was in a meeting in the basement when they shot him. The children were found dead in Jean-Pierre’s room,” she said.

“I find consolation in the fact that they died instantly.”

Their bodies were repatriated to South Africa this week.

The Groenewald family had been living in Kabul for almost 12 years.

Werner Groenewald had been a pastor at the Dutch Reformed Church in Moreleta Park before they left the country.

In Afghanistan, he was the director of Partnership in Academics and Development, which provided education and training for children. SAPA