Cape Town - “I am not good. They found my child under the table, like she was hiding, burnt beyond recognition.”
These are the heartbreaking words of Davy Mahoungou, 44, whose 5-year-old daughter Sinesipho, died on Monday evening during a devastating fire at a building in Voortrekker Road, Parow.
Mahoungou said his daughter was at crechè, in the building on the corner of Tallent and Voortrekker roads, when the fire broke out.
“She’s been there since April or March. There was a woman who looked after the children but I heard she left the kids with her husband on Monday because she went into labour.
“I am unemployed, but do casual paving, while my wife is away studying.
“On Monday I was helping out again when I got the call.”
The father said he rushed to Parow to find a crowd of people standing outside the building.
“All the kids stood outside, but not Sine.
“We stood waiting. Then they came to say they found the body of a child under the table; it looked like she was hiding.”
Mahoungou said he did not want to believe it was his daughter and went for DNA testing on Tuesday.
He described Sinesipho as a happy, fun-loving child, who had a kind, soft heart.
“Sine’s sibling who is nine years old lost a sister. I am struggling.”
Parow Community Policing Forum vice-chairperson, Bronwin Daniels, said the community was heartbroken.
“The saddest part is the child being burnt beyond recognition, now the father has to wait to bury his child. He went for DNA testing but was told through the government it would take three weeks and private two days.
“That is why we are trying to get him help, because this is a tragedy, a young girl, who had her whole life ahead of her, gone… ”
Ward 26 councillor, Franchesca Walker, sent her condolences to the family and said her door was always open should they need help.
The City’s Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse, said they received the emergency call at 4.50pm. He said it appeared that several flats were affected, and numerous persons displaced.
The owner of the block, which consists of flats and businesses, could not be reached.
Police spokesperson, Malcolm Pojie, said an inquest docket was opened.
Anyone who wants to help Mahoungou can email Parow CPF at: [email protected].