The mother who had allegedly locked her two lively boys who burnt beyond recognition in a room that caught fire, wept uncontrolably when the boys were laid to rest at Shayandima graveyard on Sunday.

The atmosphere was filled with a heavy cloud of grief as hundreds of emotional mourners paid their last respects to the young boys.

"O my God! Why did it happen this way? Vhananga vhathu! Ndi hune nne nda do guma’fhi wee? (Oh my kids! Where will this end?" yelled Conny Nndweleni Makatu (30) when the little coffins were lowered during the emotional funeral.

Rofhiwa Mufamadi (10) and Light Nethonzhe (2) were asleep in the locked two-roomed house at Maniini when they were consumed by angry flames in the early hours of Wednesday, January 10. Their mother, Conny, had allegedly locked them in when she went away the previous night. Police suspect that the fire might have been caused by a burning lamp, as the house does not have electricity.

Family representative Matidze Nemakonde said they were still expecting much from the brilliant boys but they have accepted what happened. "We only have to accept it because we cannot change the situation. The deaths of these boys are synonymous with a flowering tree that loses flowers that were expected to turn into fruits. God has done His will and we believe that this incident does not bring life to an end. We have to stand up and go on with life although our hearts are bleeding with pain."

Nemakonde thanked the community for the support displayed during the incident. "Your presence made our hearts strong. We have been battling to come to terms with this incident, but your overwhelming support has made us more confident."

The chief whip of the Thulamela Municipality, Mr Mutshutshu Mammba, said the municipality was forced to come on board to make sure that the kids were buried with dignity and respect. "Their deaths have touched our hearts and we united with the family and other stakeholders to make sure that the kids received a dignified burial."

The joint funeral was made possible through the efforts of the members of the Vhembe Burial Association which include Classic Funeral Directors, Tshitshithe Funeral Undertakers, Mbavhalelo Funerals, MMK Funerals, Thabelo Funeral Undertakers, Twins Funerals and MTG Funerals. Other stakeholders that contributed to the funeral are Metropolitan Life, Thulamela Municipality, Old Mutual, First Professional Care Security, Aubs Motors, NW Audiovisual, Maniini Royal Council, Phungo Parklane Butchery, Magwaba Bus Service, Meat & Chicken, Jet Mart, Try Developers and Town Talk Furnishers.