Father torches his house and perishes together with his daughters
A father took his life and that of his children when he set his house on fire as they were all inside it.
The deceased Limpopo father of two has his docket opened for murder by police in Rivati outside Tzaneen.
The 51-year-old man and his daughters aged 9 and 13 died in an inferno in Nkowankowa Township this yesterday morning at around 7 am.
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The neighbours saw the fire and jumped over the garden wall to attempt to rescue the family but it was too late. They stormed in the burning house after breaking one of the windows, managed to rescue the father but he died on the scene due to burn injuries and inhalation of smoke. They were forced out of the house by the raging fire and they were not able to locate the children.
The Police and Emergency Personnel were called to the scene to attempt to put out the fire but their efforts did not manage to save a life.
The burnt bodies of the young girls were seen in different rooms.
The police revealed that their preliminary investigations indicate a possible murder by the father as he has had a strained relationship with the mother of his children. He has been staying with the girls in Nkowankowa while the mother was staying in Vhembe ever since they separated four years ago.
The police also suspect a highly flammable substance was used in the incident making it difficult for inhabitants to survive.
The deceased suspect has been identified as Gledwin Mboweni working for Statistics SA as its Acting District Manager in the Mopani District. His daughters were identified as Mikateko Tonia Mboweni (13) and Tsakane Tilda Mboweni (9)
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Father torches his house and perishes together with his daughters