Cape Town - While the cause of the fire that broke out in a Parow building three weeks ago is still under investigation, the family of 5-year-old Sinesipho Mahoungou, who died while hiding under a table, has finally laid her to rest.
Sinesipho attended a crèche in the building on the corner of Tallent and Voortrekker roads, when the City’s Fire and Rescue Service received a call of the building alight.
The little girl was found in what her father described as a “hiding position” under the table.
She was the only victim who perished in the devastating fire.
Davy Mahoungou, 44, at the time said he was at work when he received the call.
He said when he got to the scene, he was informed that the woman who looked after the children had left them with her husband because she went into labour.
The husband managed to get all the children to safety except Sinesipho, who was burnt beyond recognition.
A plea was made for funds to help Mahoungou, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) get private DNA testing to confirm it was indeed his daughter who was found.
Ward 26 councillor, Franchesca Walker, then approached the City of Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis for assistance.
Hill-Lewis said his office was requested to assist with DNA testing costs, via the Mayoral Fund, and were able to help bring closure for the family.
“I was deeply saddened to hear of Sinesipho’s passing.
“As a father of a young daughter myself, I can imagine what the family is going through.
“I express my heartfelt condolences and pray that her family find strength and peace.”
After the DNA testing, Sinesipho was laid to rest on Friday.
Her mother, Khonzeka Mxabo, said her heart broke into a million pieces as her little girl’s coffin was wheeled into the church.
“It hurts. The pain and hurt is very much there, emotionally I am not okay. Even for Sine’s older sister, she wants to know why her sister had to pass on, she says if maybe even Sine just got hurt but was still alive, she would’ve been okay.”
Mxabo thanked the City, Walker and Hill-Lewis for their help.
Walker said the affected top section of the three-storey building has been deemed unsafe.
“The people who lived there were assisted by the City.
“The family of Sinesipho was also assisted, something we sincerely appreciate.”
Walker said hundreds of people attended the girl’s funeral.
City Fire and Rescue spokesperson, Edward Bosch, said the cause of the fire was undetermined.
Cape Argus