Thohoyandou - A Limpopo municipality has undertaken to organise a funeral for a mother and three children who are believed to have died of smoke inhalation when a fire broke out in their home.
Their bodies were found with no visible injuries and they were still lying in their sleeping positions in their two-room house in Mbaleni village near Thohoyandou on Tuesday.
"We are organising a mass funeral and will work hand in hand with the family so that the deceased get a dignified funeral," said Vhembe District Mayor Falaza Mdaka, who visited the family's relatives on Thursday.
Mdaka was accompanied by the mayor of Thulamela local municipality, Thivhulawi Makumbane, senior traditional leader Musiiwa Mphaphuli and some local councillors.
The victims are Annah Sibuda, 37, her daughter, Joyce, 17, and sons Given, 13, and Zwannda, 8.
They are expected to be buried next Saturday at Mbaleni Cemetery near Thohoyandou.
The two boys attended Mbaleni Primary School, while their sister graduated from the primary school last year and was admitted to Mmbara Higher Primary this year.
Mbaleni Primary School principal Helen Masotsha said the incident had traumatised both children and teachers at the school alike. "These learners were from a poor family and we used to raise funds for their school uniforms," she said.
One of Given's Grade 4 classmates, Mushe Baloyi, 12, used to share a desk with him and said he could not sleep after hearing the news. "I didn't slept well last night. He was a true friend. It will take long for us to forget about what's happened. I last saw him after school on Tuesday and didn't realise it was our last day together," he said.
Family spokesperson Mavhuso Matsila said Mbaleni village did not have electricity, so the family relied on candles or paraffin lamps for light.
"We suspect that a candle or paraffin lamp may have caused the fire," he said.
Limpopo police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mohale Ramatseba said he was still investigating the matter and was unable to say as yet, what the cause of death could be.
