Tragedy struck the Booi and Faku families when three people suffocated to death at Eluxolweni last week.
Tragedy struck the Booi and Faku families when three people suffocated to death at Eluxolweni last week.
On Thursday evening, Ndoyisile Booi, Nontombi Faku and their daughter Zikhona made a fire in a metal can in a small room and locked the door.
According to Nonzwakazi Booi, Ndoyisile’s aunt, they had been using planks coated with paint to fuel the fire and the container being used as a brazier also had paint in it.
Masixole Faku the nephew of Nontombi Faku said that neighbours became concerned when they did not see the family on Friday morning as they usually woke up very early. “They weren’t seen for the whole day on Friday and neighbours became oncerned,” said Faku.
The neighbours alerted the police and a resident climbed through a window and kicked down the door of the room where the deceased were found lying.
They had apparently fallen asleep in the room as there was no signs of struggle. The family was unemployed and relied on Nontombi’s disability grant.
The area in Eluxolweni where the house is situated has no electricity nor water. According to SAPS communication officer Captain Mali Govender, the police heard from neighbours about the incident and quickly rushed to the scene.
The police suspect that it is a case of smoke inhalation and have ruled out foul play and an inquest docket has been opened.
