THE gogo of the three children who died in a shack fire in Khayelitsha last Wednesday said she was only aware they died after she came out of the hospital.
Three children Inakho Mbema (13), Qhamisa Mbema (8) and Akhanyile Magamule (4) died a painful death as the shack they were sleeping in was destroyed by fire on 30 November in the middle of the night.
Gogo Nopasika Magamule-Molife (56) from Endlovini squatter camp was hospitalised for smoke inhalation and was released the following day.
She told Daily Sun she was shocked and felt that she should have just died with her grandchildren.
“When my children came to see me, they told me that my three grandchildren who were sleeping in the other room had died. They said the other one has been hospitalised because of a burnt face and head. I was hurt, my heart sank. I felt that I should have died with them instead of experiencing such pain,” said the grandmother.
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Gogo Nopasika’s husband managed to drag her out of the burning shack.
Gogo said she had inhaled lots of smoke and was rushed to the hospital.
The fire destroyed their five-roomed shack with the children inside.
Gogo’s daughter Noluvuyo Dunga (45) told the SunTeam that since the incident happened, they have been trying to gather some money to conduct a DNA test.
“We are all unemployed and it has been difficult to gather R3 900 that is needed for the DNA of these three kids. We are still having a headache about how we are going to bury them as we do not have money,” Noluvuyo said.
Police spokesman Sergeant Wesley Twigg said an inquest docket has been opened.
Fire and Rescue spokesman Jermaine Carelse also confirmed the incident.
“Firefighters found the bodies of the two boys and a girl, who sustained fatal burn wounds, amongst the debris at around 1am. The fire, of which the cause is unknown, was extinguished at about 1.20am,” said Carelse.
