MOPANI – The police in the Mopani Area are investigating a case, following the death of two young girls who died in a burning house on Monday morning. The incident took place at the Balloon village in the Sekororo area at about 07:00.

Capt Maano Sadiki, the police spokesperson in the area, said that the children’s mother, Mrs Annah Malatjie, went to the nearby bushes to collect some firewood early that morning. She left the two children in the house. They were still fast asleep when the mother left.

When she came back at about 07:00, she was shocked to see that the house in which the girls were sleeping was in flames. She screamed for help from the neighbors. Although the neighbors responded in no time, it was already too late to save the situation.

When the house was opened, it was discovered that the little girls were already dead. The children’s mother told the police that she had left a candle and a matchbox next to the place where the children were sleeping. She further indicated that the eldest girl might have tried to light the candle during which process the blankets probably caught fire.

The children were identified as Bridget Malatjie (5) and Sharlot Malatjie (18 months). In a statement that was released by the SAPS in the area early this week, they warned the people not to leave flammable substances next to young children when they go away.

* In a separate incident that also took place on Monday morning, the police in the area have opened an attempted murder docket. According to the police statement, Mr Lucky Bopape (29) was driving along the Tickyline-to-Lenyenye road when the incident occurred.

When he was about to reach the Maake Technical College, he heard a loud bang at the back of his car. He stopped and parked the car a distance away to see what was happening. When he inspected the car, he noticed that there was a bullet hole at the back of the car.

He rushed to the nearby police station, where an attempted murder docket was opened. The motive for the shooting was unknown at the time of going to press.