Social Development ME, Nonhlanhla Khoza, expressed her shock after two children burnt to death in a fire over the weekend.
It is alleged that Melokuhle (5) and Hlelolwenkos Madiya (7) died after a fire broke out in a stationary family vehicle that was parked at their home in Harding, KwaZulu-Natal.
The cause of the fire is still unclear at this stage.
Attempts to save the children from the fire were unsuccessful as the doors were jammed and could not be opened.
Khoza expressed her condolences to the family. “We are with the bereaved family during this difficult time. It is heartbreaking to learn how these children died. They were unable to escape from the blaze,” she said.
Khoza added that it was important for families to ensure that children always played under the supervision of adults.
“We have seen a number of vulnerable children die so horribly in the province,” Khoza said.
“We want to plead with our communities to ensure that they don’t keep these old vehicles in their yards to avoid these recurring incidents,” she said.
Khoza said that the matter was in the hands of the South African Police Service which is investigating the cause of the fire.
“We hope the police will be able to shed light with on what caused the fire that claimed the lives of these innocent children. This is a very painful incident to deal with and we will do whatever we can to ensure that the family and all those affected find closure,” Khoza said.
Sources: MSN, SABC
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