
BOIPATONG. – A fire has claimed the lives of 40-year-old Thandi Madlanga and her two-year-old toddler, Rethabile Madlanga. A third victim, Madlanga’s partner, Molifi Kubu (50) was hospitalized after sustaining burns.
The incident happened in the early hours of Tuesday, 26 September in Boipatong. The family of three lived together in an outside room at the Kubu residence.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Molifi’s sister, Meiki Kubu said she was woken up by Molifi, telling her that Thandi and the child wouldn’t wake up.
“When I went into the room, I also tried to wake them, but they wouldn’t wake up. I also noticed that the room had burned.
“I suspect that the cause of the fire is the heater. There was load shedding last night, and I suspect they forgot to switch off the heater before going to sleep. When the lights came back, the heater was still on, that’s how the room caught fire. Their TV, microwave, and cupboards burned.
“I thought I was dreaming when Thandi and the child wouldn’t wake up. We are really heartbroken and disturbed by what has happened,” she stated.
Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the incident.
“It is reported that the family of three was caught in a fire inside their residence. The mother and daughter were certified dead on the scene while the father was hospitalized with burn wounds.”
Nevhuhulwi said an inquest case docket was launched for investigation