DURBAN - Police in KwaZulu-Natal have received reports that a bush fire could have spread on to an abandoned car in which two children burnt to death on Friday.
It is suspected that Hlelo Ndlovu, 7, and Melokuhle Ndlovu, 5, went into an abandoned VW Golf 1 which was parked in their yard in the KwaMachi location in Harding.
Police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele said one of the family members saw the vehicle burning but it was too late to save the two children who were locked in the car. She said more than 70% of the car was already alight.
“There was also rubbish that was being burnt in the yard. That is the reason that was given by family members for not detecting the vehicle fire early. The children were burnt inside the vehicle.”
An inquest docket has been opened at Harding SAPS.
KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza has expressed shock and pain after hearing about the incident and sent her heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased children.
“Attempts to rescue the children from the raging inferno were not successful as the doors could not open. It is heartbreaking to learn how these children died. They were unable to escape from the blaze,” she said.
A team of social workers will render psycho-social support and other assistance to the family.
Khoza said it was important for for the families to ensure that children always played under the supervision of adults.
“We have seen a number of vulnerable children die so horribly in the province. We want to plead with our communities to ensure that they don't keep these old vehicles in their yards to avoid these recurring incidents,” she said.
Daily News