THREE young children died in a fire in Kagiso, Mogale City, yesterday after they were left in a back yard shack by their mother who the community accused of having gone on a drinking spree.
Warrant Officer Solomon Sibiya, who confirmed the incident, said the children's mother, Mmatseko Mosese, was taken to a place of safety after she was attacked by angry members of the community.
The children's father, Petros Modise, also pointed an accusing finger at his wife. A tearful Modise told Sowetan how he had unsuccessfully tried to get his wife to stop drinking.
"I warned her that if she did not change her drinking habits, something terrible would happen.
"She would lock the children in the shack with the paraffin stove on and go and booze at the nearest shebeen.
"Everybody around here can tell you the type of woman she is. Even our neighbours tried to talk to her about the dangers of leaving the children on their own," he said.
Modise, who was at work when the incident happened, said while he is not surprised, he was sad and angry at the loss of his children.
The children, twins Dineo and Neo, 4, and their 2-year-old sibling Mmapula, were burnt beyond recognition in their parent's rented shack.
Landlady Lettie Khunong said she was unaware of what was happening until her own child wanted to go and play with other kids outside.
"When I opened the door I realised that the shack was on fire and screamed for help. When the neighbours arrived it was too late.
"We watched helplessly as the big fire ate everything up," she said.
Khunong said the couple had been renting a shack in her back yard for the past five years.
"We are so used to Mmatseko leaving her children alone in the shack while she went to this shebeen to drink.
"She and her husband always fought about her drinking and I always intervened. Even social workers failed to help her," she said.
Khunong said she had no idea what might have started the fire as the shack in question did not have electricity.
Sibiya confirmed the incident and said an inquest docket had been opened. He said police had not yet decided on whether or not to charge the mother.
3 kids die in shack fire while mom gets drunk
THREE young children died in a fire in Kagiso, Mogale City, yesterday after they were left in a back yard shack by their mother who the community accused of having gone on a drinking spree.
Warrant Officer Solomon Sibiya, who confirmed the incident, said the children's mother, Mmatseko Mosese, was taken to a place of safety after she was attacked by angry members of the community.
The children's father, Petros Modise, also pointed an accusing finger at his wife. A tearful Modise told Sowetan how he had unsuccessfully tried to get his wife to stop drinking.
"I warned her that if she did not change her drinking habits, something terrible would happen.
"She would lock the children in the shack with the paraffin stove on and go and booze at the nearest shebeen.
"Everybody around here can tell you the type of woman she is. Even our neighbours tried to talk to her about the dangers of leaving the children on their own," he said.
Modise, who was at work when the incident happened, said while he is not surprised, he was sad and angry at the loss of his children.
The children, twins Dineo and Neo, 4, and their 2-year-old sibling Mmapula, were burnt beyond recognition in their parent's rented shack.
Landlady Lettie Khunong said she was unaware of what was happening until her own child wanted to go and play with other kids outside.
"When I opened the door I realised that the shack was on fire and screamed for help. When the neighbours arrived it was too late.
"We watched helplessly as the big fire ate everything up," she said.
Khunong said the couple had been renting a shack in her back yard for the past five years.
"We are so used to Mmatseko leaving her children alone in the shack while she went to this shebeen to drink.
"She and her husband always fought about her drinking and I always intervened. Even social workers failed to help her," she said.
Khunong said she had no idea what might have started the fire as the shack in question did not have electricity.
Sibiya confirmed the incident and said an inquest docket had been opened. He said police had not yet decided on whether or not to charge the mother.
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