POLICE are looking for thugs who burnt to death a mother and her three children earlier this week.
The attack took place at Glen Cowie, near Jane Furse in Limpopo, on Sunday night.
Nebo police spokesperson Constable Magdeline Malatji said a neighbour heard people screaming for help and went out to investigate.
She saw the shack on fire and rushed to nearby St Rita's Hospital to seek help from security guards.
"It appears the people who committed the crime broke a window of the shack before pouring petrol inside," Malatji said.
"They then set it alight before fleeing."
Sibongile Setladi, 31, her sons Kgopotso, 14, Moloki, 2, and daughter Tsebo, 6, perished in the fire.
Malatji said the shack was locked from the outside by the attackers and set alight.
Police believe the woman tried to escape but found the door locked.
The woman and her children were found burnt beyond recognition, Malatji said.
"The bodies of the victims were found huddled in a corner inside the shack, which shows they had lost hope of surviving because the house was locked," she said.
"From what we can deduce, the intention was to kill the occupants of the shack."
Police and paramedics were also called to the scene but when they arrived the family were already dead and the shack destroyed.
A 20-litre container, believed to have been used to carry the petrol, was found in the yard.
No one has been arrested in connection with the incident.
Malatji said and the police have appealed to residents who might have any information to come forward.
Villagers now live in fear after the gruesome attack.
Jonas Malaka, an ANC ward councillor in the village, said the community could not sleep easy until the perpetrators of the crime are found.
"The community is fearful because the incident was the first of its kind in this area," Malaka said.
He says the Makhuduthamaga local municipality and the Greater Sekhukhune district municipality will assist the family with burial costs.
A community meeting to discuss the family's burial was scheduled to take place yesterday.
mom and kids burnt alive
POLICE are looking for thugs who burnt to death a mother and her three children earlier this week.
The attack took place at Glen Cowie, near Jane Furse in Limpopo, on Sunday night.
Nebo police spokesperson Constable Magdeline Malatji said a neighbour heard people screaming for help and went out to investigate.
She saw the shack on fire and rushed to nearby St Rita's Hospital to seek help from security guards.
"It appears the people who committed the crime broke a window of the shack before pouring petrol inside," Malatji said.
"They then set it alight before fleeing."
Sibongile Setladi, 31, her sons Kgopotso, 14, Moloki, 2, and daughter Tsebo, 6, perished in the fire.
Malatji said the shack was locked from the outside by the attackers and set alight.
Police believe the woman tried to escape but found the door locked.
The woman and her children were found burnt beyond recognition, Malatji said.
"The bodies of the victims were found huddled in a corner inside the shack, which shows they had lost hope of surviving because the house was locked," she said.
"From what we can deduce, the intention was to kill the occupants of the shack."
Police and paramedics were also called to the scene but when they arrived the family were already dead and the shack destroyed.
A 20-litre container, believed to have been used to carry the petrol, was found in the yard.
No one has been arrested in connection with the incident.
Malatji said and the police have appealed to residents who might have any information to come forward.
Villagers now live in fear after the gruesome attack.
Jonas Malaka, an ANC ward councillor in the village, said the community could not sleep easy until the perpetrators of the crime are found.
"The community is fearful because the incident was the first of its kind in this area," Malaka said.
He says the Makhuduthamaga local municipality and the Greater Sekhukhune district municipality will assist the family with burial costs.
A community meeting to discuss the family's burial was scheduled to take place yesterday.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos