The mother of two children who lost their lives in a shack fire has been arrested for child neglect.
As reported by the Daily Voice, Athanandi (10) and Ingakuthi (5) passed away when the structure they lived in in Makhaza caught fire over the past weekend.
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At the time, their mother, 31-year-old Melezwa Mntwini, told IOL that she had left her children alone as it was the weekend and she went out with her friends.
‘I left them alone at home and locked the door like I would normally do when I go out at night. I unplugged everything and went to my friends. I was not at home. It was the weekend, so I went out,’ she said.
‘My sister called me and told me there was a fire. I ran home and saw the fire had not reached the bedroom. I told the people who were trying to help extinguish the fire to break the wall of the shack, but they didn’t listen to me.’
‘When I saw the fire in the bedroom I felt powerless as I could hear my children screaming for help. I waited for the firefighters next door. My neighbour [told] me that the fire started at the door. Only my shack burnt down.’
Mntwini was arrested on Monday.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie says a case of child neglect has been opened. ‘This needs to serve as a reminder that parents are the primary caregivers and custodians who are responsible and accountable for their children’s safety and wellbeing.
‘This case is investigated by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit based in Khayelitsha.’
Mntwini is due to appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrates’ Court.
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