Nkowankowa: Alleged torching of family home leaves daughters and father dead
The father had suffered from smoke inhalation and died on the scene. The blaze was extinguished and the burnt bodies of two young girls were found in separate rooms of the house.
LIMPOPO – The police are investigating the deaths of two young girls, who were burnt to death on Monday, 12 October in a house fire. The fire was allegedly started by their 51-year-old father, who also succumbed to injuries sustained.
The incident happened in Nkowankowa, outside Tzaneen.
According to police reports, the neighbours saw flames and smoke coming from the house at around 07:00. “The neighbours jumped over the fence and broke one of the windows in an attempt to rescue the occupants. During the process they managed to rescue the father, but the blaze and smoke forced them out and the police, emergency medical services (EMS) and firefighters were summoned to the scene,” said Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo.
The father had suffered from smoke inhalation and died on the scene. The blaze was extinguished and the burnt bodies of two young girls were found in separate rooms of the house.
Mojapelo says preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased and his wife were separated and that his daughters were staying with him. “It is also suspected the father set the house alight using a highly flammable substance.”
The deceased were identified as Gledwin Mboweni (51), Mikateko Tonia Mboweni (13) and Tsakane Tilda Mboweni (9).
The motive for the incident is unknown at this stage but domestic violence cannot be ruled out. Two counts of murder and an inquest has been opened at the Ritavi Police Station.
Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Genl Nneke Ledwaba and the Social Development MEC, Nkakareng Rakgoale have since condemned the incident and jointly called on members of the community who may be facing domestic challenges or strained relationships, to seek professional help instead of resorting to extreme violence.
“Incidents of gender-based violence (GBV) are happening at an alarming rate in the province, hence we are calling on all the people to contact our social workers when they are experiencing difficulties in their relationships and families. We have our family preservation programs that are aimed at assisting families that are in conflicting and toxic relationships,” Rakgoale said.
She further sent her condolences to the bereaved family and confirmed that the department has dispatched social workers to the area to provide psycho-social support to the mother of the children and to the other affected parties. Investigations into the fire still continue.
