A tragic incident occurred on August 27, 2023, in the early hours, resulting in the loss of five children in a devastating fire that engulfed around six shacks in the Itireleng informal settlement near Laudium in Pretoria.

City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department spokesperson Charles Mabaso reported that firefighters were dispatched to the scene around 04:26 and found multiple shacks ablaze. Swift firefighting efforts were initiated to control the flames.

After successfully extinguishing the fire, rescuers discovered the charred remains of five children, tragically beyond recognition, amidst the wreckage of the shacks. The children were identified as belonging to two sisters, encompassing three boys aged two, four, and six, along with two girls aged one year and five months, and seven years respectively.

According to initial information, it appears that the two sisters had left the children overnight in one of the shacks while they went to a nearby tavern to consume alcohol. Subsequently, the sisters were taken into police custody for questioning.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is currently ongoing, as authorities work to determine the exact circumstances that led to this devastating incident. In response, Charles Mabaso stressed the importance of ensuring that children are always under the supervision of adults and in a secure environment.