Mother who lost son and daughter in PE shack fire regains consciousness

Bongiwe Lukhwe, 35, was one of five people admitted to Dora Nginza Hospital with burns on Sunday.

Her children, Amthandile, 10, Zukhanye, 8, and their friend Inam Ntlokwana, 6, died in the blaze.

Bongiwe was engulfed in flames and watched helplessly as her children and their friend were trapped by the blaze.

Her sister, Nomhle Lukhwe, 48, said the family felt a sense of relief when they managed to speak to her yesterday afternoon.

“She was able to talk to us today but it pained me when she started asking about her kids,” Nomhle said.

She said she had told her sister they were both in the children’s ward.

“She said I should not lie to her as she was the only person who was saved from the fire.

“That hit me very hard, I did not know what to say and decided to leave,” Nomhle said.

Bongiwe’s uncle, Whitey Ndotshayisa, 54, said: “We were worried that she would not remember what happened. She now needs counselling.”

He said funeral arrangements would be made soon.

It is still unclear what caused the flames that swept through five shacks in Yoyo Street at about midnight on Saturday.

Nelson Mandela Bay municipal spokesman Mthubanzi Mniki said the municipality was still investigating.

Bongiwe’s work colleagues at First Technology, an information technology company in Walmer, have collected donations on her behalf.

Colleague Leigh-Ann Vieira said: “I have known Bongiwe for many years. She lived for her children.

“We have two bags full of stuff that was dropped at our workplace.

“The donations will help all the victims of the shack fire.”

Bongiwe worked at First Technology as a tea lady.

Sibusiso Masuku, 30, who raised Inam from when she was a year old, said she would be buried on Sunday. Funeral details would be finalised after the family met, he said.