AN 11-year-old boy burnt to death in a shack in Section 23 of N2 Gateway, Delft, Cape Town yesterday morning.
Residents claim the boy’s mum is in the Eastern Cape and his father locked him in the shack when he went to work.
Landlord Nobesuthu Libalele said she heard the boy screaming for help but she could not find the key.
She said: “I was in the kitchen when I heard the boy screaming.
“The entire shack was covered in flames.
“Neighbours broke the burglar bar but it was too late to save him.
“He was found lying on his knees next to the door.
“He was alone in the shack, but we know his father did not leave the stove or heater on.
“It seems like vutha started next to his bed.”
The boy’s father was too traumatised to speak to the media.
Neighbours used sand to put out the flames.
Fire and rescue services chief Theo Layne confirmed that an 11-year-old had died in a shack fire.
He said the cause of the fire is still undetermined.
Philippi police spokesman Sinathi Joni said: “An inquest docket has been opened after a boy was found fatally injured inside a burnt shack in Delft.”
