Kaalfontein mother and daughter (5) killed in shack fire
The five-year-old Monica died on the scene and her mother Asanele died after seven days in hospital.
Lebowa Funerals came to the rescue of an Eastern Cape elderly woman who was struggling to bury her precious daughter and granddaughter at Kaalfontein Extension 4B on June 23.
Asanele (28) and her child Monica (5) died after their shack caught fire on June 2 at about 2.40am.
The incident which shocked the Kaalfontein Extension 4B community happened during Eskom’s load shedding.
It is claimed Asanele, who was sleeping with her two children in the shack, had forgotten to blow out a candle which triggered the fire.
The five-year-old Monica died on the scene and her mother Asanele died after seven days in hospital.
Members of the community managed to rescue Asanele’s eight-year-old son Derrick who is currently recovering from burn wounds in hospital. The mother and grandmother of the deceased, Nompumelelo Mkhondweni, said she was in the Eastern Cape when she received the call about the incident.
“I am not doing well. I am not sure I will ever cope after losing two children in that manner. And worse, my grandson is still recovering in hospital,” added Mkhondweni.
Mkhondweni thanked Lebowa Funerals for showing kindness and providing moral support to the family, especially in difficult times such as this.
“Losing my children is one of the hardest experiences I’ve ever faced, especially grieving in a poor financial condition. I was so stressed and felt hopeless until the funeral parlour offered to help with everything – paying for two graves, two coffins, and other funeral services. I just didn’t know who to approach or what to do until they came to my rescue,” said Mkhondweni.
Ward 92 councillor Violet Chauke said she had to knock on other people’s doors, including business people, to help Mkhondweni’s family.
“It is a tough time for the family and to us all as a community. Asanele was still so young when this happened. We are still trying our best to help the family because everything was burnt to ashes, including identity books, birth certificates, school uniforms and books. So far, we managed to get a new shack and birth certificate for the child in hospital,” added Chauke. Chauke said they are appealing to community members to help the family with anything that can help them survive.
Meanwhile, Lebogang Malete, a regional manager at Lebowa Funerals, said they were approached by community members of Kaalfontein Extension 4B to help bury Mkhonweni’s loved ones since they had no money to afford a funeral.
“We paid a visit to the family and found the situation wanting. Helping those in desperate need and poverty is one of Lebowa Funerals’ community projects. We are not here for business only, but to assist and bring change where possible,” added Malete.
Malete said they have assisted in many worthy community causes, the latest being the donation of school shoes to a primary school.
The deceased Asanele and Monica were laid to rest at Waterfall Cemetery in Midrand on June 23.
