Five children die in shack fire

Five children died in a weekend shack fire in Ramatlabama in the North West, police said on Monday.

Police said when they arrived at the burning shack on Sunday; fire fighters were already at the scene.

"It is alleged that a 32-year-old woman left six children inside the shack and went to a tavern. The neighbours saw the shack burning and called for help,” the police said, adding that “community members managed to rescue one child; however five of them burnt beyond recognition".

Police said when the woman returned to her burning shack she collapsed.

“She was then taken to hospital and will be charged with negligence as soon as she is discharged from hospital,” the police said.

An inquest case has been registered.