THE two sisters, Lindiwe Machaka (39) and Zanele Machaka (37) from Itireleng informal settlement near Laudium appeared at the Atteridgeville Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 12 September.
The sisters are facing five counts of culpable homicide for the death of five kids aged 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6.
The father of three of the kids, Johannes Maswanganye (39) said the mothers should be let out only to bury their kids and be locked up again after that.
"I want harsh sentences for them even though that will not bring back my children," he said.
The gogo of the three kids, Johanna Maswanganye (71) said she has not forgiven them and she is not happy about the whole incident.
"I will bury my grandchildren but it is hard," she said.
She said is still heartbroken and hopes the court will do justice for the kids.
Tiny Chauke from Community Safety under Gender-based Violence against Women and Femicide said they are hurt by what happened.
ALSO READ: Prayer Warriors unleash holy spirit on rapists
"We are going forward, no bail to these women whether there is a funeral or not. They don't deserve to be in the community," she said.
NPA Regional spokeswoman from the Gauteng Division, Lumka Mahanjana said the two sisters are also facing a charge of child neglect.
"The two sisters asked to be released on a R500 bail, however, the magistrate told the court that she intended to grant them a R5000 bail each due to the seriousness of the offences. However, the two through their legal representative told the court they would be unable to pay the amount," she said.
Mahanjana said the matter was then postponed to Friday, 15 September for a report from the Department of Correctional Services to check if the two sisters are suitable to be placed under correctional supervision after bail is granted.
"It's alleged that while the two were still out, the shack caught fire and all the children burnt and died on the scene. The two women were arrested at a tavern the same day and are remanded in custody. Lindiwe is the mother of the two children aged 1 and 2. While Zanele is a mother to the 3 children. It's alleged that on the evening of 27 August, the two women locked 5 children inside their shack, and went to a nearby tavern," she said.
