The Msimango family is in despair after three of their family members tragically died.
It is alleged they may have died due to inhaling carbon monoxide gas from a coal stove.
Ekurhuleni executive mayor Clr Mzwandile Masina visited the family of the three victims at Khombiza Section, Etwatwa, on March 2.
Masina was accompanied by Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management’s William Ntladi, Etwatwa customer relations manager Deborah Marumo and other officials.
The family’s grandmother, Elizabeth Mavuso (82), granddaughter Zandile (19) and eight-month-old Anathi Msimango were found dead at their home on February 28.
Their uncle Ephraim (50) and Ntombikayise (7) Msimango were transported to the Far East Rand Hospital.
Family spokesperson Sibongile Msimango said she is saddened and still shocked at the deaths.
Msimango was the one who found her family members the following day (February 28) at around 12.30pm.
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The family used the coal stove to save electricity as no one was employed in the family.
The mayor said when he learnt about the incident, he had to go and assess the situation.
Masina shared his condolences with the family.
The mayor gave instructions to EMM officials to be involved in the preparation towards giving the victims a dignified funeral.
Ntladi said upon arrival on scene, the officials found the lifeless bodies of an elderly woman, a young woman and a baby.
“When paramedics attended to them but they didn’t respond and they were declared dead on the scene,” said Ntladi.
“Two other people, a 50-year-old man and a seven-year-old girl, were found in the house and responded positively.
Etwatwa SAPS spokesperson Capt Ramothakhi Maqabe said the exact cause of the deaths is unknown at this stage.
The police are awaiting the outcome of the post-mortem.
An inquest docket has been opened at the Etwatwa Police Station.
The survivors are receiving counselling.
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