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A grandmother, Nowatu Ngalo (73) from Shushwana locality in Ngcobo, along with her four grandchildren, were burnt to death when the four-roomed house they were sleeping in caught fire on Monday night, November 13.
The grandchildren were Asiphumeze (10), who was in Grade 5, and his younger brother Simamkele Ngalo (9), who was in Grade 3 (both) were attending school at Thora Primary School in Ngcobo) When the incident happened, they were sleeping with their cousins, Luthando Ngalo (5) and Kungomusa Ngalo (2).
Ayabonga Ngalo (11) managed to escape through the window and went to ask for help from their neighbours.
The father and the uncle of the deceased said they appeal to any Good Samaritan who can assist them because they cannot manage to bury five people on their own.
According to him, no one is working in the family.
They had temporary employment, so they cannot manage to bury five people.
“We are asking anyone who can help us in what we are facing. It is really painful because now my sister has to stop looking for a job and look after our home. My mother was the one who used to look after it, but now that she is no more, it will be very difficult,” said Ngalo.
The principal from Thora Primary School in Ngcobo, Mvuyisi Mxokozeli, described this incident as a big blow because their school is still new in the area.
He confirmed that it was opened on April 12, 2022.
Mxokozeli added that these children had left a gap in his school, and no one would close it.
“We are still new now. We have to face this situation; what is more painful is that we are now writing exams, disturbing our learners. We are appealing to the Department of Education to assist us with Psychosocial Services so our learners and teachers can get counselling. It was more painful for those learners who were sharing desks with them. We are now forced to re-arrange them to try to help those sharing desks with them,” said Mxokozeli.
Police spokesperson, Captain Namhla Mdleleni confirmed this incident stating that four children aged between 3 and 10 and their grandmother died in the fire.
She said it is alleged that at about 20:30, an older woman (73) was sleeping with her five grandchildren when they heard the house burning.
