SIPHELELE NKETO

THE lives of two siblings, Ntandoyenkosi Nokhwenkwana (8) and his sister Buhle (11) of the Cola village in Ntabankulu, were tragically cut short in a horrific fire on January 20.

They were sleeping in a makeshift structure.

It was reported that their mother was away on the night of the fire. The cause of the fire has not yet been established, but the family suspects imbawula, a self-made heater often used for heating during cold days.

Family member Andiswa Nenu said the bodies of the children were found in the wreckage of the structure.

“The community could not save the lives of the little ones as the fire had already covered the shack,” she said.

Ntandoyenkosi was in Grade 1, and his older sister Buhle, Grade 5.

Mayor of the Ntabankulu Local Municipality Tsileng Sobuthongo visited the family on Wednesday, January 28, to offer condolences. She handed over food parcels while the Department of Social Development offered disaster relief packages.