The Premier of the Eastern Cape, Oscar Mabuyane, offered his heartfelt condolences to the Deli family at Tshapile location, in Ngcobo, where five family members died when their two-roomed house was gutted by fire, recently.
The deceased, Noxolo Deli (48), and her children, Zuko Deli (20), Indiphile Deli (15), Ayamkela Deli (13), and her grandchild, Azipheli Deli (9), were killed in the house fire.
He confirmed that the deceased were sleeping in their house, which had burglar-proof doors.
Mabuyane said this showed that there was still a lot that should be done to fight crime in the local areas because he heard that this was not the first incident to happen to that family.
“If we had acted immediately after the first incident happened, maybe this would have been avoided. We will leave this to the hands of the police officers to deal with this incident. We have sent the officials from the Department of Social Development to monitor the situation.
“I can confirm that I also visited the scene to see what happened.
“All the departments are working together to ensure that we support that family,” added Mabuyane.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana, confirmed that police were investigating a case of arson. He said the neighbours heard people crying and witnessed flames in the neighbourhood.
“As they went to investigate, their discovered that a two-roomed flat had been gutted by fire. The family had difficulty escaping as the house had burglar-proof doors. All who were inside were burnt beyond recognition.
“The circumstances surrounding the incident are not known at this stage.
“However, a case of arson has been registered for investigation,” said Kinana.
