Children Die in 'Mystery' Fire
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Noweto 20 NOVEMBER,NOVOVEMBER, 2020 • 012-842-0300 Inside Phathela’s house. Phethelani Phathela’s house in Soshanguve block W. Gladys Chauke and Mpho Chauke. Children die in ‘mystery’ fire ‘One of my kids died while we were looking for transport and the otherer died while wewe were on our way to the clinic.’ Lunga Mzangwe out, he started with my sister’s child who “I sometimeses useuse a candlecandle butbut was rushed to Soshanguve 3 clinic. My because it wass in the afternoon,afternoon, Two local families were left devastated children could not get transport that fast. no candles werere lit.lit. when separate fi res cost the lives of two “One of the children died while we were “My stove usesuses paraffi n but children and destroyed property in the north looking for transport and the other died was not the causeuse ofof thethe fi rere asas it of Pretoria. while we were on our way to the clinic.” was untouchedd by the fi re.”re.” In Winterveldt, a local family is struggling Chauke said she did not know how she Phathela saidd thethe causecause ofof thethe fi rere to come to terms after the death of their two will face the reality of her children’s death. remained a “mystery”mystery” and she suspected it children in a “mystery fi re” last week. Her children were buried on Saturday. might have beenen started deliberately.deliberately. Their mother, Mpho Chauke, said she was Police spokesperson Captain Samuel “I do not haveve suspects who could have away to celebrate her 34th birthday with her Sebola said it was suspected that the cause done it, but I keepkeep asking myself how it friends and had left the children in the care of death was smoke inhalation. started.” of their 18-year-old brother. “Both victims were certifi ed dead by the She said shee was in anguishanguish about how “When I go to work, I’m used to leaving doctor. The third victim was treated and she lost a homeme that sheshe hadhad builtbuilt forfor hherer them with him. So it was not the fi rst time,” discharged. children. Chauke said. “The cause of the fi re is currently “I am really not okay. I’m struggling to “He was sleeping in a separate room unknown. Mabopane fi re service was sleep. My childrendren have lost the place outside the house as the children had also contacted to assist with the investigation as to they called home,me, I had built them a fallen asleep. what could have been the cause of the fi re.” home but noww it is all gone,”gone,” she said.said. “He locked the door so that when I came Sebola said police were investigating. “We have lostost everything. The only back I could get the keys from him, to go to In a separate unrelated fi re, a mother help I got was from a woman who gave the room where the children were sleeping,” of three was left destitute after the fi re some clothes toto my children.children. Chauke said. destroyed their shack last week Tuesday in “It is not easysy for me to accept that my On the night in question, the electricity Soshanguve, block W. children do notot have a home anymore. was off and no candles were used. Phethelani Phathela said she was at the My children arere trying to be strong, but “The electricity was out before the rain Mabopane station when she received a call it has been hardrd for them as they are started. An eyewitness who went past our from a neighbour telling her that her shack writing exams right now.” home 10 minutes before the fi re, later told me was on fi re. Phathela saidd herher childrenchildren lostlost there was no sign of any fl ames,” she said. “Honestly, I do not know what happened their schoolbooksoks andand theirtheir schoolschool “All of a sudden there was a fi re. We were because I was not in the house. I left the uniforms in thee fi re.re. later told my children did not die of burns, house at around 14:00 and I received a call Luckily, the school has promised to but were killed by smoke inhalation.” from my neighbours around 16:45 saying assist her withh thethe uniforms.uniforms. Chauke said the children were still my shack was on fi re. We do not have Police spokespersonesperson CaptainCaptain Phethelani Phathela and breathing when her son took them out of the electricity in the area and I use solar power Stephen Malukekakeka said they are her children lost their home burning room. “When he took the children for lights and for the television. investigating a case of arson.arson. in a suspected arson attack. 2 NEWS NOWETO RECORD 20 NOVEMBER, 2020 ‘Terrorist’ is sentenced to 333 years imprisonment Molefi was convicted of 29 counts of crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, rape and robbery. Lunga Mzangwe committed by Molefi as “overwhelming”, as he and his gang terrorised the Kgaugelo Boikanyo Molefi (31) was community of Soshanguve. sentenced to two life terms and 333 years’ “He attacked people on the streets and imprisonment for the commission of even in the safety of their homes.” various crimes when he appeared at the He added that Molefe did not care even Pretoria high court on Friday. if he was known to the families of the According to NPA spokesperson Lumka victims. The taxi rank where the shooting happened. Mahanjana, Molefi was convicted of 29 “He said he did not hesitate to commit counts of crimes ranging from murder, crimes on people he was friendly with.” attempted murder, rape, robbery with The judge found this inexplicable and aggravating circumstances, unlawful said it clearly showed his character. possession of a fi rearm, unlawful “He said his aim was to insert fear in Passengers wounded possession of ammunition, pointing of a his victims and was successful in this fi rearm, and housebreaking with intent to regard as most witnesses were scared to commit robbery. testify. Therefore, there is no reason for Mahanjana said Molefi committed all the court to deviate from the minimum as taxi driver is killed these crimes around Soshanguve from sentence.” 2014 to 2018. He said what was “abundantly clear Lunga Mzangwe CBD when he saw the body of a man lying “In 2014, after committing his fi rst was for the accused to be permanently on the ground. off ence, he was arrested but escaped from removed from society”. Soshanguve taxi commuters have raised “When I arrived the shooting had already custody. He was later arrested in 2019 Prosecutor advocate Esther Kabini, said concerns about their safety following a happened, but this thing also aff ects us as we after the provincial organised crime unit “I am grateful for the co-operation of the shooting incident on Monday, which claimed also use taxis. I live in constant fear because traced him from his hiding place at Kwa- law enforcement agencies and the people the life of a taxi driver, while two passengers my business is near where this incident Sokhulumi in Bronkhorstspruit,” he said. of Soshanguve who assisted to bring this were wounded. happened.” Judge Bam described the crimes matter to fi nality.” Police spokesperson Constable Portia A commuter, who was waiting for a taxi Sebone said it was alleged that fi ve suspects nearby, said the incident heightened her fears in a white Audi A4 that was parked in when using taxis. Umphafa Road in Soshanguve block VV “Taxis are the only mode of transportation near a shopping complex, opened fi re on the available for me. I use taxis for work and victims and fl ed the scene. sometimes I take taxis with my children. “The deceased sustained multiple gunshot “Passengers were also shot at yesterday,” wounds and was certifi ed dead on the scene she said. and the other two victims who were injured “What if it was me? were taken to hospital.” “What would have my children done A taxi marshal who spoke on condition of without me? anonymity said he had been very close to the “I know nothing will be done for the deceased. passengers’ safety but because we also He said the incident had made him fear for depend on taxis, there’s nothing much I can his safety as this could happen to anyone. do. “He used to help me when I have “I will just have to pray that something problems, be it fi nancial or emotional. I used like that does not happen to me.” to wash his cars and we were very close. Sebone said the motive of the attack was “I’m scared because I do not know if I unknown, but is suspected to be related to might be next. These attackers came from taxi violence. nowhere. This taxi violence is very scary “Soshanguve police are investigating a because these people are fi ghting an ongoing case of murder and attempted murder.” war.” The police are requesting members of the A man, who runs a business nearby, also community who might have noticed these Kgaugelo Boikanyo Molefi . spoke on condition of anonymity. incidents to contact Soshanguve SAPS on He said he was on his way back from the 012-730-1300 or My SAPS App. Expect ‘different’ Covid-19 festive season Gauteng Department of Health Sinesipho Schrieber wearing masks and washing hands regularly Odi District Hospital should remain important to keep safe during Kiosk/Tuck-shop service for the period of two years South Africans should expect a somewhat this festive season.