'I never thought anything like this could happen to us'
The grandfather of four children killed in a fire at the weekend has pleaded with authorities to allow his daughters to attend the funeral proceedings.
The four young kids died in the early hours of Sunday morning when blaze broke out in their home.
It is alleged that the two mothers left their young children unattended while they went on a drinking spree.
A 14-year-old boy was the only child that survived the blaze.
The two women have since been arrested and are facing charges of culpable homicide.
The children’s grandfather, Sphola Moses Ngubeni, says it would be painful if his daughters could not lay their own children to rest.
Meanwhile the MEC of Social Development Nandi Mayathula-Khoza has confirmed that the funeral will take place on Saturday.
She could not say if the two mothers would be allowed to attend the funeral.
“As we have heard today, the two women will remain in custody up until their application for bail is heard. I was informed by the officer that the investigating officer can apply to the court for the parents to go and bury their children, so we really do not know, but I will be assisted her,” she says.
The department says it will also support the family through this difficult time.
“We will try and support the family, in particular the 14 year old who managed to escape in terms of the schooling, his uniform was burned. We will be helping the family with food and with counselling, they are sad and distraught. We will assist them with psycho-social support,” says Mayathula Khoza.
A memorial service for the children will be held on Wednesday.
The two mothers will be back in court on September 28