MEC Maile to visit Itireleng after five children perish in a shack fire
Five children perished in a shack fire at Itireleng near Laudium in Pretoria. It is alleged that their parents were drinking at a tavern.
Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements and Infrastructure Development Lebogang Maile will visit Itireleng informal settlements near Laudium in Pretoria after five children perished in a shack fire.
The five children were burnt beyond recognition in the early hours on Sunday, 27 August.
MAILE TO VISIT ITIRELENG INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS
Maile is expected to visit Itireleng to assess the situation following the fire that destroyed multiple shacks and claimed the lives of five young victims.
As previously reported by The South African, City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department spokesperson Charles Mabaso said firefighters arrived at the scene to find multiple shacks engulfed by fire and immediately started with firefighting operations.
Mabaso said five remains of children burnt beyond recognition were discovered in the ruins of the shacks after the fire was extinguished. The five children, three boys aged two, four, six and two girls aged one year five months and seven years were cousins.
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“It is alleged that the two sisters left the children in one shack overnight and went out to drink at a nearby tavern. At the time of releasing the statement, the sisters were under police arrest and taken to a local police station for questioning,” he explained.
Mabaso said the circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire are still under investigation.
“We call upon parents and caregivers to ensure that children are always left under the care of an adult and in a safe environment,” he added.