Staff Reporter.
Three young women have died after a mysterious substance was allegedly sprayed at a tavern in Hofmeyr in the Eastern Cape.
The town of Hofmeyr, about 60 km north of Cradock in the Eastern Cape, used to be called Maraisburg.
Police Spokesperson Tembinkosi Kinana told Enca the victims are in their twenties.
Kinana said police have opened an inquest and are investigating the cause of death.
“The suspect is not known at this stage; however, the investigation is continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident,” Kinana added.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Hofmeyr Police Station or call the Crime Stop number 08600 10 11.
In a separate incident, a family of three, including a little boy, died in a fire in Level 2 informal settlement in Khayelitsha, Cape Town early on Monday.
Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City’s Fire and Rescue Service, said they were alerted at 05:10 that a structure was on fire opposite the Chuma Primary School, with the Khayelitsha fire crew confirming possible missing persons.
“A search of the property led to the discovery of the bodies of the father, mother and young boy who sustained fatal burn wounds,” he said.
Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze just before 06:00.
The cause of the fire is unknown, and the scene has been handed over to the police.