By Staff Reporter
THOHOYANDOU – A heartbreaking scene unfolded at Itsani Village near Thohoyandou on Thursday, 23 October, as three children who were burnt beyond recognition were laid to rest amid tears and sorrow.
The victims — Mbengeni Vhulenda (2), Nobela Prathutshedzo (3), and Nobela Vhugalal (9) — tragically lost their lives when a fire engulfed their one-room home on Friday, 29 August.
According to police reports, the children, belonging to two young mothers, Sharon and Shirley, were accidentally locked inside the house. It is believed that while playing with a lighter, the children unintentionally started the fire that rapidly consumed the home, leaving the family and community in deep mourning.
Limpopo police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, confirmed the incident, saying firefighters found the children burnt beyond recognition after extinguishing the blaze.
“The cause of the fire remains unknown at this stage. Experts will be brought in to assist with investigations, and police will determine whether any charges related to negligence may apply,” Ledwaba said.
The funeral was attended by emotional family members, community residents, and dignitaries, including representatives from the Thulamela Local Municipality, led by Executive Mayor Athongozwidivha Rambuda, who expressed condolences and solidarity with the grieving family.
The Collen Mashawana Foundation (CMF) also joined the community in support of the Nobela family, a household of fifteen members, offering not only comfort but tangible assistance.
Following the tragedy, Collen Mashawana, founder of CMF, visited the family and announced a series of commitments to help them rebuild their lives.
These include:Rebuilding the family home, which is already under construction, Assisting with funeral arrangements, Providing social worker support and therapy for trauma and grief, Demolishing the burnt structure and Offering job opportunities to Sharon and Shirley to help them sustain their family.
Mashawana emphasized that while nothing could replace the lives of the innocent children, the foundation remains committed to helping the family heal and find hope again.
“Through compassion, community support, and love, we pray that the Nobela family will find strength, healing, and restoration,” he said.
The newly built home is expected to be completed within days, providing the family a safe space to begin their journey toward recovery.
The Itsani community continues to stand in solidarity with the bereaved family, vowing to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.
