RESIDENTS woke up to sad news after their neighbour with his two kids burnt to death in their three-roomed shack in Transit Camp in Extension 18 in Mamelodi East, Tshwane.
The wife of the deceased, Rebone Mosoane (37), told Daily Sun she suspects illegal electricity killed her family.
Sipho Sebopela (47), with his two children Khomotso Mosoane (9) and Tshiamo Mosoane (5), died inside a three-roomed shack on Wednesday, 12 July, at around 1 am.
"I'm heartbroken. I left my husband and children around 4:30 pm on Tuesday, 11 July. I even bathed my daughter. We left as a happy family going to do part-time work," she said.
The sad woman said she still can't believe her husband and children have died.
"Please help me with another shack, food, clothes, and to bury my family members," Rebone said.
She said her other child went to visit family members.
Sophie Mabanna (50), the sister of the late Sipho, said she was heartbroken as she left them on Monday, 10 July, when she went to her home in Cullinan, Tshwane.
"When I heard the sad news in the morning, I was weak. We need the help of burying our loved ones," Sophie said.
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A neighbour Eric Malemola (40), said they tried hard to stop the fire until the water was not coming out of the tap.
"He was a good neighbour and didn't deserve to die like this. We are mourning with the family. It's so painful to lose loved ones in such a manner," he said.
Rebone said the deceased will be buried in Limpopo.
City of Tshwane spokesman deputy chief Charles Mabaso said their Emergency Services Department responded to an incident where multiple informal dwellings were reported on fire at Transit Camp.
"Firefighters arrived on the scene to find an informal dwelling of about three rooms completely burned down. Members of the public reported that three people were believed to be inside the dwelling when the fire was discovered," he said.
Mabaso said the bodies had burnt beyond recognition after they doused off the fire.
"The City of Tshwane wants to appeal to residents that they place candles in a safe candleholder, never overload electrical plugs, never leave a mbaola or coal fire burning overnight without supervision, put off or place any heating sources away from combustible materials before going to sleep," said Mabaso.
He said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
