Sydenham police in Johannesburg are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of a mother and her three-year-old daughter, who died in a Palmiet Road informal settlement fire in the early hours of Saturday morning.

It is believed that Tholakele Mfeka (31) and her daughter Sthandiwe were asleep when the fire broke out at 04:30. Her brother, Xolani Mthembu believes this was no accident.

“I was at work on my night shift duties when this incident happened. But, the residents who were there and were trying to help them, say that their shack was padlocked from the outside and the blaze started on the inside of the structure. It is clear that someone killed my sister and my niece. We want the police to investigate this and the guilty person must pay for what they have done,” says an emotional Mthembu.

Sydenham SAPS communications officer Constable Busisiwe Phungula states an inquest docket has been opened.

“About 50 shacks were affected. The residents of the shacks managed to get away uninjured. The effect of the fire resulted in 31-year-old Tholakele Mfeka and three-year-old Standiwe being burnt to death. The bodies were severely burnt. Zibuyile Mfeka [relation to deceased is unknown] was taken to the hospital by private transport. The victims were certified deceased by EMRS. The Fire Department was in attendance and were unable to establish the cause of the fire,” says Phungula.

Mthembu appeals to the public for assistance with the costs of the funeral. For those, who would like to offer help in this regard, Mthembu can be contacted on 069 164 8780.