2 children burnt to death

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TWO MINOR children from Plumtree were burnt beyond recognition while another one suffered serious injuries when a bedroom hut they were sleeping in caught fire on Christmas Eve.

TWO MINOR children from Plumtree were burnt beyond recognition while another one suffered serious injuries when a bedroom hut they were sleeping in caught fire on Christmas Eve.

MTHANDAZO NYONI OWN CORRESPONDENT

The deceased are two girls, Ayanda Nyoni (4) and Nonhle Nyoni (2) from Chief Masendo in Madlambuzi Plumtree.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson, Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident saying it happened at around 11pm at Emily Sibanda’s homestead.

“I can confirm that on Wednesday two minor children who were sleeping with their crippled grandmother (Sibanda, 64) were burnt beyond recognition and the other escaped with blisters on his hands and face,” Ndebele said.

“We urge people to be careful and avoid leaving children alone.

“As we are getting to the New Year, let us celebrate in the parameters of the law.”

According to reports, the three children were sleeping when at 11pm Sibanda left the hut to relieve herself outside leaving a lit candle. After about 30 minutes she realised that the bedroom hut had caught fire and tried to scream for him help.

However, she did not get help and the children died in the fire.

The other child, a boy escaped with injuries.

The case was reported to police and nothing was recovered from the hut.

The children’s father Ndumiso Nyoni of Lobengula West in Bulawayo said his wife had taken them to Plumtree for the Christmas holidays when tragedy struck.