On Monday morning, July 18, a two-year-old boy died in hospital after being caught in a house fire in the Eastern Cape.
Captain Ursula Roelofse of the South African Police Service (SAPS) said the incident happened at a house in Masakhane Township. “It is alleged that on 18 July 2022 at 08:00, the granny and homeowner already left and went to work, when the 22-year-old mother of the boy quickly stepped out to fetch clothes at her sister’s house not far from her home,” said Roelofse.
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The mother is accused of leaving the two-year-old boy sleeping in his grandmother’s bedroom. A four-year-old boy was also present in the house.
As the woman was walking back home, she noticed the house was on fire. When she arrived, she found the two-year-old lying on the floor. “The child was taken to hospital where he later passed away,” said the police spokesperson.
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An inquest docket is being investigated by detectives assigned to the James Calata police station. At this time, the cause of the fire is unknown.
Brigadier Asogran Naidoo, the Acting District Commissioner, expressed his condolences to the bereaved family, while police reminded residents that children should never be left alone at home under any circumstances.