A MYSTERIOUS fire burnt down a six-roomed Cape Town house on Saturday night, killing three children aged between three and six years old.
The fire, on Zwelitsha's 1st Avenue in Nyanga, seems to have been started deliberately since no candles or a paraffin stove were burning at the time.
A hysterical Zoleka Mbiko, the mother of 3-year-old Likho who burnt to death, screamed: "Who has killed our children, and what have they done?"
Mbiko's younger brother Siphelo, 6, a Grade 1 pupil at Ilinge Primary School in Nyanga, was also burnt to death along with her 3-year-old niece, Mbali.
In a strange turn of events Mbiko's aunt, Nolusindiso Mabolo, 49, received a terrifying SMS the same night - just after the fire was put out.
The SMS, from an unknown person, said: "What happened at your home is nothing yet, you are still heading for some big s**t."
When the SMS arrived, little Mbali's 25-year-old mother Babalwa Mbiko broke into screams.
The children were sleeping alone in their own room when their grandmother, Jessine Mbiko, 89, smelt smoke.
"I got to the children's room and found them trying to move their mattress, which had caught on fire.
"I also tried to push the mattress out but later decided to rush and fetch some water.
"The water I carried in a plastic bucket became useless when I threw it into the fire because it made the flames grow higher as if they have been ignited.
"I could not go into the room again and all the screaming children got trapped inside without any help," the emotional granny said.
She said she managed to get away from the scene after her neighbour's son rushed in and took her to safety before other people arrived.
Zoleka said they suspected foul play.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Andre Traut said they had opened an inquest docket and that investigations were continuing. No one had been arrested.
Three kids die in fire
A MYSTERIOUS fire burnt down a six-roomed Cape Town house on Saturday night, killing three children aged between three and six years old.
The fire, on Zwelitsha's 1st Avenue in Nyanga, seems to have been started deliberately since no candles or a paraffin stove were burning at the time.
A hysterical Zoleka Mbiko, the mother of 3-year-old Likho who burnt to death, screamed: "Who has killed our children, and what have they done?"
Mbiko's younger brother Siphelo, 6, a Grade 1 pupil at Ilinge Primary School in Nyanga, was also burnt to death along with her 3-year-old niece, Mbali.
In a strange turn of events Mbiko's aunt, Nolusindiso Mabolo, 49, received a terrifying SMS the same night - just after the fire was put out.
The SMS, from an unknown person, said: "What happened at your home is nothing yet, you are still heading for some big s**t."
When the SMS arrived, little Mbali's 25-year-old mother Babalwa Mbiko broke into screams.
The children were sleeping alone in their own room when their grandmother, Jessine Mbiko, 89, smelt smoke.
"I got to the children's room and found them trying to move their mattress, which had caught on fire.
"I also tried to push the mattress out but later decided to rush and fetch some water.
"The water I carried in a plastic bucket became useless when I threw it into the fire because it made the flames grow higher as if they have been ignited.
"I could not go into the room again and all the screaming children got trapped inside without any help," the emotional granny said.
She said she managed to get away from the scene after her neighbour's son rushed in and took her to safety before other people arrived.
Zoleka said they suspected foul play.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Andre Traut said they had opened an inquest docket and that investigations were continuing. No one had been arrested.
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