POLITICS

"Fire ate my bad boy!" – Daily Sun

"He was way out of control and his mum couldn’t forgive him – then it was too late!" – front page lead, July 21 2015

Daily Sun (July 21 2015) - SIPHO HAD lived a violent, lawless life.

But he was ready to repent and he gathered his family around him to plead for forgiveness . . . but it was too late.

ON SUNDAY NIGHT SIPHO DIED WITHOUT FORGIVENESS WHEN HIS SHACK BURNT DOWN.

His mum, Phumzile Madonsela (45) from Thembelihle in Lenasia, Gauteng said she told her son, Sipho Madonsela (23), that she couldn’t forgive him.

Phumzile told Daily Sun she is heartbroken about the death of her son, but he was very aggressive.

“He used to steal from us and demand money. This is difficult for me as a mother.  “My son died a horrible death,” she said. “But I refused to forgive him I told him it was no use because he never repents for his sins.”

Hours after Sipho left his parents he was found dead in his shack. The cause of the fire is unknown, but many neighbours believe the ancestors were punishing Sipho. Some neighbours said it was the ancestors’ revenge.

They say Sipho was an aggressive person and was never at peace with anyone. “He used to make trouble and fight with us over nothing. He was very disrespectful,” said a neighbour, Zolile Magotweni.

“When he died in that fire, many residents said he deserved it. I hope he finds peace wherever he is.”

James Mabunda who stayed in the same yard as Sipho said community leaders would often come to him with complaints. “He used to vomit in the toilet. Sometimes he wouldn’t even flush the toilet but when I complained he threatened to attack me,” said James. “I was living in fear. He brought friends and after smoking nyaope they would fight and stab each other.”

He said he complained to Sipho’s parents but they couldn’t do anything because he intimidated them.

Community leader, Chief Ngubane said they were not happy with the treatment they received from the cops. “The incident happened at 11pm yesterday but the cops only came to the scene this morning after we called them again.”

Captain Mbulaheni Netshivhodza of Lenasia cop shop confirmed that an inquest docket had been opened.

See the Daily Sun’s new website for more on this and other stories....

The Daily Sun is South Africa's largest daily newspaper with an average circulation of 274 165 (Audit Bureau of Circulations 2nd Quarter 2014) and a readership of 5.7m (as per AMPS 2012ab). Its Facebook page can be accessed here. It can be followed on Twitter here. To find about advertising on the Daily Sun click here.

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