Family blames power cuts for death of twins
The twins were trapped inside the shanty. A lot of people tried to save them, but they didn't succeed.
The family of twin toddlers Victor and Victoria Motaung (15 months), who died in a shack fire on April 28 reportedly caused by a burning candle, is blaming ongoing unscheduled power outages in Windmill Park for their deaths.
According to their aunt, Mathuthu Ngwenya, the twins died when the shack was engulfed by fire at about 19:00 that day after their mother went to ask for hot water from one of the neighbours. This is after a power outage had affected their water supply.
“The electricity is continuously cut in our area without us being informed beforehand. If the Ekurhuleni metro or our councillor had informed us, we would have prepared for it and this situation could have been avoided.
“We are pained about what has befallen us. These children were healthy, intelligent and well-mannered. It is hard for us to accept that they are no longer with us,” Ngwenya said.
“Their mother, Nomasonto, is also pained by the horrific death of her children and struggling to deal with her loss. She lost everything in the devastating fire – her children, their birth certificates and her personal belongings and valuables. We are pleading to the government or anyone to help her replace what can be replaced. A lot of people in our community tried their best to rescue her children but, unfortunately, did not succeed.”
The councillor for Ward 99, Andile Daemane, said he is saddened and disheartened by the death of the siblings.
“I support what the family is saying. People in this area are hardly informed about the power outages and that needs to change.
Also Read: Twin toddlers die in shack fire
“I have engaged with the energy department several times about the faulty S111 mini substation, but it is still not repaired. This substation is causing problems. Perhaps if it was working properly this tragedy could have been avoided. This was not a result of load-shedding.
“Many people know I confront issues that my areas are faced with head-on. I would like to send my deepest condolences to the family,” said the councillor.
Ekurhuleni DEMS media liaison manager William Ntladi said the cause of the fire is unknown.
“It was treated as a crime scene and the cause of the death and the fire will be investigated by the SAPS forensics team,” he said.
Anyone who would like to assist the family in any way can email Raymond Mokwena a journalist of the Boksburg Advertiser on raymondm@caxton.co.za
Also Read: Shack fire victims seek help after homes destroyed
