Nelson Mandela Bay Acting Executive Mayor, Councillor Andile Mfunda, could not hold back his tears when he visited the site in Helenvale on Thursday where three children of the same family burnt to death on Tuesday morning while locked in their family shack.
A five-year old boy and his four-year old twin brothers were killed. The entire shack burnt to the ground. According to the Police, the parents locked the children inside to go to a nearby shop. The children were sleeping at the time. The Police have since opened an inquest docket on the incident. Acting Executive Mayor Mfunda was visiting the family and the site to assess the damage and provide emotional and physical support to the bereaved and impoverished family.
“I am really shaken by this incident. For children so young to die so painfully is really devastating. The Municipality needs to give support to the remaining family members, who are distraught with grief and destitute,” said Acting Executive Mayor Mfunda, committing the Municipality to assist the family with funeral arrangements, counseling and a temporary housing structure.
The mother of the children, Angelette Gallant, was at a loss for words when she heard that the Municipality would be assisting with funeral arrangements and other necessities. “I do not know what to say. Although the help we will get from the Municipality will never bring back our children, we are grateful for the assistance. We really needed it,” said Gallant. She said the assistance would give them space to heal.
She also thanked the community for the support they have shown during the difficult time. “This is a dark cloud over our family, but the community, Police and now the Municipality will lift the heavy cloud from our heads,” Gallant said.
Cllr Mfunda called on parents to be doubly vigilant over their children over the Festive season. “An accident can happen in the blink of an eye. We need to make sure that we never lose sight of our children, especially in this time of festivities and parties,” said Cllr Mfunda.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Disaster Management office and Fire and Emergency Services have already visited the family and the site of the shack, handing over mattresses, blankets and a ‘family box’ with necessities such as soup, toothpaste, towels, clothing and small groceries. Through the Office of the Executive Mayor, the Municipality is currently working with the family to make arrangements for the funeral and other assistance to the family.
Nelson Mandela Bay Acting Executive Mayor, Cllr Andile Mfunda, mother Angelette Gallant, and South African Police Services Warrant Officer Alwin Labans inspecting the site where three children burnt to death in a shack in Helenvale.
