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Fatal Alexandra fire puts spotlight on ‘parenting’

By Staff Writer 18 Sep 2018 1 Min Read Save

Last updated: 18 Sep 2018, 08:28

Cape Town 12 February 2011: In the early hours of the morning a fire sweept through the Imizamo-Yethu informal settlement in Cape Town. At least 150 shacks were destroyed, leaving over 900 homeless. Residents attempt to slow down the fire by throwing rocks at burning structures, causing them to collapse, whilst others dismantle nearby shacks using hammers, crowbars, and pangas to slow down the flames. Among the broken boards and shattered glass only the charred fragments of the ordinary life of the residents of Imizamo-Yethu remain. Shack Fires. Destruction and loss in the midst of the South African housing crisis. Picture: Gareth Smit

The issue of bad parenting or a lack of parenting skills has been put under the spotlight, following the death of four siblings in a house fire in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg.

It’s alleged that two sisters locked five children in the house while they went drinking and clubbing this weekend.

A fire broke out in the house killing four children aged between two and seven years.

Only the 14-year-old boy survived.

Neighbors have alleged that it’s not the first time these children have been left unattended.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura’s advisor Mxolisi Xayiya says this is not the first incident in which children have brutally died in a fire.

“Something needs to be done around how parents care for their kids. The whole notion that everyone is going to be a parent is actually problematic; it’s something that we must really deal with. And it’s not going to be dealt with by government. Society must deal with that, we have so many institutions. There are certain things the state will never be able to do like knowing that your child has eaten and your child is sleeping. The state can support ensuring that you get the money but you will have to ensure that the kid gets everything they need to get”

Community Alexandra Johannesburg