Staff Reporter.
Two sisters from the Itireleng informal settlement near Laudium, southwest of central Pretoria, who are facing five counts of culpable homicide and child neglect, were remanded in custody on Tuesday as they were unable to pay bail.
Thirty-nine-year-old Lindiwe Machaka and Zanele Machaka (37) appeared in the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Lindiwe is the grandmother to two of the children, aged 1 and 2, while Zanele is a mother to the rest of the 3 children.
They are facing five counts of culpable homicide after leaving the five children without adult supervision at the home in the Itireleng informal settlement.
Last month, three boys aged 2, 4 and 6, and two girls aged 17 months and 7 years were burnt beyond recognition after their home caught fire.
It is understood that the sisters left the kids to go to a local tavern.
NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana says the duo will be remanded in custody until they are able to pay the bail money.
“During their brief appearance, the two asked to be released on an R500 bail. However, the magistrate told the court that she intended to grant them an R5000 bail each due to the seriousness of the office. However, the two, through their legal representative, told the court they would be unable to pay the amount.
The matter was then postponed to 15 September for a report from the Department of Correctional Services to check if the two sisters are suitable to be placed under correctional supervision after bail is granted.