Bereaved family tries to come to terms with death of three children

The devastating effect of a shack fire on the farm Langspruit on Saturday, 19 October left in its wake the arrival of two ambulances and a hearse to transport the injured and the lifeless to their destinations.

The 11-year-old Sinenhlanhla, seven-year-old Katleho and four-year-old Melokuhle, children of Ms Lerato Tsotetsi, lost their lives and the mother and Mr Moses Molefe travelled to the Standerton Hospital in separate ambulances for treatment to their burn wounds.

Ms Jessie Nhleko and Ms Maria Molefe, sisters of Moses, visited the Standerton Advertiser on Friday, 25 October, trying to shed some light on the incident as well as coming to terms with the tragedy.

According to Ms Nhleko, her sister-in-law said Moses went to the kitchen the evening sometime between 7pm and 8pm and realised his feet got stuck on the floor.

The siblings were asleep at the time

“Moses tried to extinguish the fire with water,” Ms Nhleko said. “He tried to rescue the children, but did not succeed.”

Ms Nhleko added that Lerato tried to piece together the puzzle when speaking to her and the only fact that could be established was that the electricity was off and a candle in the kitchen snuffed out.

“They have nothing left, no shoes, nor a piece of a blanket.”

Lerato and Moses were discharged for the funeral that took place on Saturday, 26 October and will return to hospital for further treatment.

The mother is pregnant with her fourth child and the unborn is well at this stage.

“She is traumatised and sustained a terrible burn wound,” Ms Nhleko also said.

“The hospital however, is looking well after them.” The community, Sassa, the owner of the farm, Mr Gert du Preez and the ward councillor offered their support and many people were expected at the funeral.

The deeply religious Jessie committed herself to set the alarm clock at 2am daily for spiritual sustenance to the bereaved.