Two toddlers die in fire while left alone at home

LITTLE Iminathi and Andisa Madikane, aged two and three respectively, tragically died in a fire suspected to have been caused by a burning candle in Nyaka village in Mbizana on Thursday night.

The two cousins were left without any adult supervision after Iminathi’s 19-year-old mother, Asiphe Madikane, had gone to charge her cellphone somewhere in the village.

The toddlers’ great-grandmother, Catherine Madikane, 69, said she had attended a church service in Greenville in Mbizana and had left Asiphe with the two girls.

“While I am heartbroken, I must be strong for Asiphe and her aunt, who both lost their children in the fire. This is too much for us to comprehend,” Catherine said.

Mbizana police spokeswoman Captain Edith Mjoko said the double tragedy happened at about 8pm on Thursday night.

“Two young girls aged between two and three were left alone by a 19-year-old mother of one of the two girls.

“She went to another area in the village to charge a cellphone battery. When she came back to her home, there was a big group of residents and fire engines.

“The two young girls, one hers and another of her aunt, already died but the bodies have not yet been removed,” said Mjoko.

She said an inquest docket had been opened.

“But investigations continue and nobody has been arrested.”

Ward 18 councillor Mkhuseki Qunga said they were shocked by the tragedy and that council would decide how to assist the family when it sits.

● This is the same village where Lumka Mkhethwa fell into and drowned in a pit latrine toilet at Luna Junior Secondary School, where she was doing Grade R.

Some donated portable toilets were set alight during a service delivery protest. — dispatch.co.za