More than 100 people gathered in Tafelsig on Monday night for a memorial service for the five family members who perished in a fire on Saturday.
Emotional residents gathered at the Buffelshoek Street house where Rosetta Arendse, 64, her grandchildren Franklin Peters, 18, sisters Stephanie, eight, and Rabia Muller, five, and Rosetta’s boyfriend Obin van Wyk, 49, died when their Wendy house caught alight.
The sisters’ hartseer mom Victoria Muller said the family lives in Eastridge and the girls and their little brother Zahier, two, were visiting their ouma for the weekend.
The sisters’ hartseer mom Victoria Muller said the family lives in Eastridge and the girls and their little brother Zahier, two, were visiting their ouma for the weekend.
Zahier was saved by his uncle Samuel Muller, 39, who suffered severe burns to his upper body and head.
Speaking from his house on Tuesday, Samuel told the Daily Voice he nearly died trying to save his nephew.
“That morning I came from my friend’s house and then I saw the Wendy house burning,” he says.
“I tried to gain entry at the front door but it was already blocked by the flames.
“I made a hole at the side of the Wendy and dived in and saw Zahier and I threw him out through the hole but I fell into the flames myself.
“I was pulled out by a relative and then I started running to my sister’s house in Eastridge to tell her what happened – that’s all I remember.”
Zahier, who had minor burn wounds, was discharged from the Red Cross Children’s Hospital on Saturday.
Pastor Leon Jacobs led the open-air memorial service while members of the Mustadafin Foundation who feed needy people in Tafelsig were also in attendance.
The service was organised by the Kingdom Christian Church and Leon Jacobs Foundation.
“It was very emotional for everyone attending, we held a moment of silence in memory of those lost to this terrible fire,” said Pastor Leon.
White balloons were released by the friends of Franklin, whose hartseer mom Francisca Herandien told Daily Voice: “My son was in Grade 10 last year and dropped out of school because he wanted to go to college.
“He was a respectable boy and loved by all.
“This is a really sad thing to have happened and his loss leaves a void.”
The Fire and Rescue Department said the cause of the fire is still being investigated.
Francisca says they are appealing for donations for her son’s funeral and anyone willing to assist can call 063 113 8043.