Francesca Villette
TWO young siblings burnt to death when an electrical box that allegedly blew and sent live sparks flying, caused their Philippi shack to go up in flames yesterday.
Sisonke Nazo, 7, and her baby brother Kungawo Nazo, 2, burnt to death when their Sweet Home Farm shack in Philippi was razed by a blaze. Their mother Nobathebu Nazo was hospitalised.
Police spokesman FC van WYK said Nobathebu Nazo’s cousin had dragged her out of the shack, but was unable to save the children.
Philippi councillor Thembinkosi Pupa said Nazo was taken to Mitchells Plain Hospital and later transferred to Groote Schuur Hospital as Mitchells Plain did not have a burn unit.
Mitchells Plain Hospital spokeswoman Aletta Brown said Nazo had suffered smoke inhalation but was in a stable condition.
Van Wyk said the cause of the fire was being investigated and an inquest docket had been opened.
Pupa said the provision of proper electricity in the area had been a struggle in the community for years. On Friday a municipal building was torched when residents took to the streets in a protest over poor services.
“There is also reblocking (re-configuring informal settlements) happening, which means some people will be moved from the area. People are afraid that if they move, they will not have electricity,” he said.
SACP provincial spokesman Masonwabe Sokoyi yesterday condemned the use of violence.