Three dead: Cable theft blamed for tragedy
They allegedly inhaled carbon monoxide fumes from a generator
A DECISION by a Greenwood Park couple to leave their children with their grandmother after cable theft caused an electrical outage at their home for several days, possibly saved their lives.
However, Kaylon, 8, and Tamar, 5, have been left orphaned following the death of Kyle Richards, 31, and Taylene, 28, at their Rosary Road home after allegedly inhaling carbon monoxide fumes from a generator they had borrowed.
Their friend, Bongumusa Ngcobo, 31, and puppy were also found dead in the home.
Taylene’s mother, Linda Lalsing, told the POST that the couple had arrived home from work last Wednesday evening to no power as the electricity cables had been stolen.
“Taylene called me and said she was going to bring the children over to stay until the electricity was restored.
“On Thursday, we went to the police station to report the cable theft. Taylene had also contacted the eThekwini Municipality to inform them about the electricity outage. She was told that they would come out by Monday to sort out the problem,” said Lalsing.
She said Kyle, who was a manager at a panel beating shop, then borrowed a generator from his employer last Thursday.
“I still kept the children because it was difficult for them to prepare their bathwater and prepare meals for them,” she said.
Lalsing became worried when she did not hear from the couple at the weekend.
“They were not answering my calls, so on Monday morning, I went to the house. When I called out for them there was no answer. This made me worried.
“I then asked the neighbours for help. A short while later the local security company, police and paramedics arrived. They went inside the house where they found the friend and puppy. Both were dead.
“Kyle and Taylene were still alive, but were struggling to breathe. Sadly, they passed on a little later,” said Lalsing.
“I am devastated, especially for my grandchildren. Cable theft has robbed them of their parents. If the cables were not stolen, they would have never needed to get a generator.
“We are still awaiting the post-mortem report to establish the exact cause of death. However, it seems like they died as a result of poisoning from the generator fumes.
“I am also questioning why the municipality could not repair the fault by Friday? The city officials pitched up
on Monday while we were at the house. Sadly, it was too late by then. Three people were dead … ”
Noleen Jones, Kyle’s mother, said she had been looking forward to spending her birthday today (Wednesday) with her family.
“Our hearts are bleeding. Our lives will never be the same. My birthday will always be a reminder of how my children died … ”
She described the couple as “amazing and loving”.
“They loved each other, their children and their family. Bongumusa, who lived in Inanda, was also family to them. He worked with Kyle at the panel beating shop. If they were working on weekends, he stayed over at their home.
“We are saddened at the state of our country – from the water outages to load shedding and cable theft.
“Innocent families are suffering. Our government has failed us. Life is the price we had to pay,” she said.
Tyrone Powell, managing director of Marshall Security, said what began as a welfare check quickly escalated into a tragic scene.
“Officers discovered a man, lifeless and in a state of decomposition, on the living room couch. Further investigation revealed two additional victims, a woman and another man, in the master bedroom, both without signs of life. The sorrow was compounded by the finding of the family’s young puppy, also lifeless, marking a total loss for the household.”
Powell said the fire department conducted a thorough examination of the scene.
“They identified a generator within the home as the likely cause of carbon monoxide poisoning, resulting in this tragedy. We also recognise the neighbour’s critical role in raising the alarm, underscoring the vital importance of community vigilance and awareness of the dangers posed by carbon monoxide in residential settings,” he said.
Bobby Maharaj, ward 34 councillor, said cable theft was a concern in the area.
“There seems to be a young group of opportunists looking for a quick way to make money. I have been speaking to the CPF about how we can increase visibility in the area, and possibly form more neighbourhood watch groups in the various streets. If we want to stop crime, we will have to take up this initiative of community activism,” he said.
The eThekwini Municipality directed all questions to the SAPS.
Provincial SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, said the Greenwood Park police were investigating three inquest cases. Police did not comment on the cable theft.