Five children killed in Shakashead shack fire

An investigation is underway into the cause of a shack fire which left five children dead in Shakashead, Stanger, in KwaZulu Natal.

According to the municipal disaster management team, the structure was already engulfed in flames when emergency personnel arrived at the scene on Friday morning.

The remains of the deceased children have been taken by the police’s forensic unit for investigation.

The children’s mother, Ntombovuyo Menemene, and a surviving two-year-old child were taken to hospital, while the father, Sivuyile Noyila, sustained minor injuries.

KwaZulu-Natal's Human Settlements MEC, Siboniso Duma, has expressed his condolences to the family.

The department's spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, says the MEC commended the mother for saving the surviving child.

“The MEC has saluted the mother who saved the child and is working with the mayor of Kwadukuza Local Municipality to assist the family. And the father has indicated that they would want to bury their children in the Eastern Cape," Sibiya said.