Two children burnt beyond recognition in Tjatjaneng house fire

Police in Mankweng have opened an inquest following the tragic death of two young girls after a backroom caught fire at Tjatjaneng village in Ga-Mothapo, outside Polokwane on Saturday, 14 March 2026 at approximately 15:30.

The victims, aged three and five, were reportedly left inside a backroom while their grandmother briefly went to a nearby tuckshop at around 14:00. At the time, the children’s great-grandmother was inside the main house on the property.

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According to preliminary police reports, the grandmother was still at the tuckshop when she received information that the backroom had caught fire. She rushed back home and found community members already trying to extinguish the flames.

After the fire was brought under control, the two children were found inside the room on top of a bed. Their bodies had been severely burnt, making identification difficult.

The cause of the fire remains unknown at this stage, and police have launched an investigation to determine what led to the incident.

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Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe expressed deep sadness over the tragedy and extended heartfelt condolences to the grieving family.

She has also directed that a thorough investigation be conducted to establish the exact cause of the fire.