THE fire that left three young children dead early Sunday morning could have been set by someone taking revenge against the children’s mother, who was accused of stealing and slaughtering a cow recently.
Provincial police spokesperson, Col Ronél Otto said allegations that the fire was connected to the fact that the children’s mother, Tshituka Rosemary Mathava (28) was an accused in a stock theft case was being investigated.
She said the three Mathava children, Nyeleti (9), Kulani (6) and Tintswalo (4) were asleep in a mud hut in Mabidi village, Vuwani when it caught fire. The children were reportedly in the care of their 46-year-old grandmother, who was not at home at the time.
“Two mud huts were already gutted by the time the police arrived after being alerted by villagers.
“The cause of the fire is not yet known and our forensic officials are investigating this,” Otto said.
Venda king, Toni Mphephu Ramabulani, said he was shocked by the horrific and senseless deaths.
He called on law enforcement to leave no stone unturned during their investigations. He also appealed to parents and guardians not to leave their children at home alone.
• In February, two children aged seven and 13 years died in a fire during the night in Khumbe village in the Makhado area. The two children, Thanyani Ndou and Konanani Mulovhedzi were under the care of the Munna Ndi Nnyi project. An inquest case was also opened for investigation at the time.
