Daily Sun (August 7 2014) - MAMODUPE had to choose between herself and her children.
As the fire spread quickly through the shack she pushed her small children out through the window . . .
SHE HAD TO STAY BEHIND TO FACE THE EVIL FLAMES OF DEATH.
Mamodupe Moshe (35) and her husband Mzwanele Mothoko (34) both died when Mzwanele knocked over the primus stove in a fit of rage.
Their two children, a boy aged nine and a girl aged two escaped from the fire unharmed.
Mokete Moshe (22), Mamodupe's brother, said his nephew told him what happened in the final moments on Monday night before the shack in phase 6, Mangaung, near Bloemfontein caught fire.
"The boy said they had just finished dinner when his father came into the shack," said Mokete. "The boy said his father was drunk and started shouting at his mother. He said his parents were always fighting so he didn't think it was serious."
But then his father kicked over the primus. "The boy said his mother immediately pushed them through the window, first the little girl, then the boy."
Mokete said that was when he received a call from Mamodupe's neighbour, saying his sister's shack was on fire.
"I was about to go to bed when I got the call and I rushed to Mamodupe's house. When I got there the neighbours had already put out the fire but the shack had been burnt to ashes," he said.
"The children were crying uncontrollably." A neighbour said the boy came running to her shack. "He asked me to come and help. He said his parents were in danger," said the neighbour.
"When I went outside their shack was on fire. With the help of other neighbours we managed to stop the flames but it was already too late.
"Now because of his selfishness the kids will grow without parents " said Mokete.
Mzwanele's nephew, Andrew Nkhuzango (31) said his uncle was a very abusive man who beat his wife. "What happened is very sad. The kids will have to grow up as orphans," said Andrew. Police spokeswoman Constable Joy Xaba said: "An inquest docket has been opened. We are still not sure what caused the fire. Our investigations continue."
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