The celebration anticipated by the Phongoma family at Xolobe Village in Tsomo turned into tears, following the tragic death of three siblings in a mysterious fire while taking part in the Intonjane ritual, recently.
Fundiswa Pongoma (37), her two sisters Ntombizakuthi (41) and Nozuko (46) died due to a fire engulfing the room they were sitting in as part of the ritual.
According to their uncle, Reverend Mbongeni Pongoma, the sisters will be laid to rest on Saturday, July 22.
“The incident happened immediately after they finished up their breakfast. The fire started from the entrance of the room where they were sitting in.
“What is confusing is that all the blankets and cell phones that were in this room were not burnt. Even the room was not affected. Their bodies were badly injured, which is why we cannot keep them for a long time in the mortuary,” said Pongoma.
He added that they were in this ritual for two weeks and were going to come out on Friday, last week when the incident happened. Pongoma said that they were still devastated by this.
MEC for Eastern Cape Arts and Culture, Nonceba Kontsiwe, visited this family.
She has described the incident as horrific.
“We first want to pass a word of condolences to the family. Indeed, what has happened is tragic; moreover that it occurred while these women were undergoing this ritual.
“We wanted to provide emotional support to the family and are hoping that they find comfort during this period,” said Kontsiwe.
She said that the incident happened just before the day of coming out from this ritual.
Police spokesperson, warrant officer Majola Nkohli, confirmed that police have opened an inquest docket following the death of three female relatives after a house was gutted by fire during a ritual.
“The three victims aged between 37 and 44, were rushed to hospital where they succumbed to their injuries following the fire that broke out in the homestead,” said Nkohli.
