Mandeni family lives in fear after woman’s ex-boyfriend allegedly petrol bombs house
The woman's nephew later died in her arms at hospital.
A Mandeni woman is in hiding with two of her children while a third is fighting for her life in hospital after her ex-boyfriend allegedly set their home alight with a petrol bomb.
Her seven-year-old nephew, Bayanda Ngiba, died in her arms from the severity of his burns.
On the night of November 20, Phumzile Khoza received a harrowing phone call from her 15-year-old son Owethu.
“Mother, we are getting burnt,” her distressed son shouted after flames had woken him to the realisation that the house was on fire and the door had been locked from the outside, trapping the children inside.
At the time, Khoza said she was being harassed by her ex-boyfriend and had slept at a friend’s house to avoid a potential confrontation with him.
She left her three children and her sister’s son in the care of her brother.
“It never crossed my mind that he would do such a terrible thing. I thought leaving the children with my brother would keep them safe,” said Khoza.
By the time she arrived at the house her oldest son and his uncle had managed to break a window to get the children out of the house, but not before they suffered severe burns.
They took the children to a nearby clinic, after which they were transported to General Justice Gizenga Mpanza Regional Hospital in KwaDukuza. But it was too late to save Bayanda.
“He died in my arms, I kept on giving him water and he was crying until he passed away at the hospital.”
“I do not feel safe because I do not know where he is and what he is planning. He is not a South African citizen, which means he can easily escape to his home in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland).”
She said she broke up with the man in May and that he had been harassing her ever since, to a point that she had to obtain a protection order against him.
Colonel Robert Netshiund said charges of arson and attempted murder had been opened at Sundumbili police station for investigation.
Khoza lost everything in the fire and she is appealing for help to rebuild her home.
“Any amount one can afford would be highly appreciated. I need to rebuild my home for my kids,” said Khoza.
If you would like to help, contact Phumzile at 076 997 6511.
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