An alleged arson attack on a dilapidated RDP house at Madombidzha on August 17 claimed the lives of Surprise Lisoga (17) and Rodrick Mashidzha (15). It was established that burn wounds were the principal cause of death of the two young men.

A deadly fire in the RDP house and screams for help at about 23:00 awakened Shumani Lisoga (25), Mashudu Lisoga (15) and Tshiwela Ngobeni (17). They were in a room adjacent to the one in which Obert Lisonga (23), Surprise Lisoga and Rodrick Mashidzha were sleeping. Obert escaped with minor injuries, but the other two were seriously burnt in the fire. According to Obert, who is still recovering in the Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital, the attack was carefully planned. He said that the doors were tied shut with wire to prevent them from leaving the house alive and then it was set alight. "I escaped the smoky fire through the window, but I had to return to assist Surprise and Rodrick, who were seriously injured." His three sisters survived the fire with no injuries.

Surprise and Rodrick were rushed to the intensive care unit at the provincial hospital in Polokwane. Sadly, Surprise passed away within a week after being admitted to the hospital. While members of the family and residents were still reeling in shock and mourning, Rodrick was certified dead this Monday.

Obert suspects that the reason behind the attack might be a fight over a girl between him and another man.

He said that when he tried to assist his burning brother and friend, “it was terrible, they were burning, screaming in deep pain, while their burning shirts were melting into their bodies.” Shumani said that the deceased were also unable to breathe when they were removed from the house.

When Mirror visited the family last week, we discovered that the poverty stricken family had nothing to eat and no clothes to change. Obert's mother, Mrs Rosinah Lisoga, who does not receive pension grant because of a mistake with her age on her identity document, indicated that she was still frightened by the attack against her children. She said that an empty five-litre container with a petrol smell was found next to the house.

The Tshilwavhusiku Police arrested Caiphus Ntata (18) of Madombidzha in connection with the incident.

Before Surprise and Rodrick passed away, he was charged with arson and attempted murder. He was denied bail when he appeared in the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate Court on August 23. He will be in custody until his second court appearance in the same court on September 7 and two charges of murder have been added.

Kind-hearted people who want to assist the bereaved family with any form of donation can contact Shumani at 079 194 4092.

A joint funeral for the two boys will be held at the Madombidzha cemetery tomorrow (Saturday).