A five-year-old girl has died in a shack fire in Mfuleni, allegedly after her angry father tried to set himself, his wife and nine children alight on Wednesday morning.
Neighbours described the man in his 60s as an “animal” who physically abuses his wife.
The man and his wife as well as two of their children were admitted to hospital for treatment of severe burn wounds.
Angry neighbour Bongani Mangaliso says: “To be honest I wanted to return him to that fire.
“He has been abusing his wife for a long time. He keeps all the Sassa grant cards of the children and whenever his wife is chilling with other women, he sends the kids to call her back into the house.
“We tried to address this issue, people started giving the wife clothes and he said they are dressing her like a slut and are teaching her to sleep around.”
ANGERED: Bongani Mangaliso. Picture: Phando Jikelo/ANA
Bongani says four of the nine children are the wife’s nieces and nephews from her sister.
Another neighbour Dendithini Tshotwana says they knew the man was “evil”, but never imagined he was capable of killing his own children.
He says it was horrific to hear them scream for help.
“He blocked the door with his body, some of the children escaped through a window.
“We are shocked at this and we do not want him back here. He is an animal and does deserve to live among people.”
On Thursday the neighbours cleared the debris and said they will assist the wife in rebuilding the shack.
SCENE: Residents clearing the debris. Video: Phando Jikelo/ANA
Fire and Rescue spokesperson Jermaine Carelse says they attended the fire in Bhola Street at about 5.30am.
“A female minor died and a man and a woman both sustained 70% burn wounds in a fire in Mfuleni. The fire was extinguished at 5.40am and firefighters came across the body of the female minor amongst the debris.”
Police spokesperson Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana says at this stage Mfuleni police have opened an inquest case for investigation.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage, she says.
SCENE: Residents clearing the debris
velani.ludidi@inl.co.za