Manenberg car fire claims lives of couple, investigation under way
In a tragic incident, a couple lost their lives when their car caught fire in Manenberg.
Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said at approximately 1.10am on Tuesday, they received an alert of a vehicle alight in Sabie Walk, Manenberg.
“Crews from Gugulethu arrived at 1.20am and found that the fire had been extinguished by bystanders. They then found two bodies in the vehicle with fatal burn wounds.
“The incident is being investigated by the South African Police Service.”
Police registered an inquest docket after finding the charred bodies of a 47-year-old man and an unknown woman.
Spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said: “They were found in a vehicle in Sabie Walk, Manenberg, Tuesday morning, 04 February 2025 at about 1.30am. Police members responded to a complaint of a vehicle that was burning and upon arrival at the scene, Fire and Rescue Services extinguished the fire and the bodies were discovered.
“The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.”
Anyone with any information about this incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
This incident took place just days after five-year-old Simele Asonele Silekwa died in a similar way last Thursday in Eerste River.
His mom Sibongiseni Silekwa had the difficult task of identifying her son’s remains at the mortuary on Tuesday morning.
She recalled the harrowing details of the day her son was trapped inside a Ford Bantam.
“I had been out and when I returned home, he was there but left when I went to buy vegetables.
“I heard from my neighbours that there was a car that was on fire. I went to the scene and waited until the fire was out, and since I knew my son was not at home, I ran to the car and forensic investigators showed me the body.
“I identified him by a piece of his T-shirt and also his feet which were not burned.”
The devastated mom said she had to ask for donations from her neighbours for the DNA test.
“I was told to go and pay it on Tuesday so I can get his body. I don’t have a funeral policy and I need money to pay a private mortuary to keep his body, the coffin and also food.”
mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za