eMalahleni mother and kids die in devastating blaze
Mpumalanga police suspect that the mother fell asleep with the stove turned on which must have ignited the blaze.
Just four days after the terrible fire that caused the death of four children in Hendrina, another family was struck by tragedy when a mother and her two small kids died in a house fire in Klarinet, eMalahleni.
The mother, her four-year-old son and five-year-old daughter burnt to death in the early hours of Friday July 8.
A provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohala, confirmed in a statement that the 31-year-old mother was with her children sleeping in the house when the fire broke out.
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“It is said that the mother could had left a two-plate stove on and it is suspected that the family might have been using the stove to warm themselves up as it was cold,” Mohlala said.
“Further allegations were that the mother had fallen asleep while the stove was still on. The shack caught fire and was engulfed in flames. The three could not be saved and were certified dead on the scene.”
The sister of the deceased mother, Thembi Khuzwayo, said they are heartbroken regarding what has happened to their family and suspect foul play according to the way her burnt body was found. “Her body was found lying in a sleeping position. It does not seem like she struggled to get up or to save her children. My sister was healthy and I believe she should have woken up from the smoke,” Khuzwayo said.
She added that the father of the children allegedly had gone out of the house to buy bread at around 23:00 that night.
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She called for the public to help her family bury their sister and children. “We have recently buried the deceased’s three-month-old baby. The baby’s death was so sudden; just like this one. We had to use all our savings to organise a dignified send-off for the child,” Khuzwayo said.
“It is heartbreaking that my sister and her children might not have a dignified send-off. We hope to find donors that will help us organise a beautiful funeral. We also appreciate the support we have received from political parties such the EFF, ANC, and Sanco and our neighbours.”
Anyone who would like to assist the family, Khuzwayo can be contacted on 071 595 4174 or Elizabeth Khuzwayo on 076 022 6001.
