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Candles for remembrance
A four-year old boy, who died following an arson attack allegedly by his mother’s partner, has been laid to rest at Kuruman, in the Northern Cape.
It’s alleged that on Monday, the suspect threw a flammable liquid through the bedroom window, which burnt a 25-year-old woman and her other minor children, aged nine and 10, who were asleep.
Northern Cape police are hunting the person of interest.
Kgatlhiso Etshetshang was described as a loving and inquisitive child.
His family say his death is gruesome and unforgivable. His 25-year-old mother did not attend the funeral due to suffering severe burns on her face. Kgatlhiso’s family say his life was tragically cut short and the pain cuts too deep.
Kgatliso’s uncle, Bokamoso Etshetsang, says their lives will never be the same.
“As a family we are so heart broken. We are very sad. We really need more protection from our government. We need the government to do something about this,” says Etshetsang.
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— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 13, 2025
Mourners have called on men to be protectors of women and children. They have also stressed that women should not be silent about gender-based violence. Kelebogile Mashome and Tshireletso Phiri are some of the people who supported the grieving family.
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“It is very sad. We are living in fear and we are scared. Please help us,” says Mashome.
“This incident is not good at all. He died at a very young age. I am so heartbroken and very sad,” adds Phiri.
Northern Cape Police are investigating murder, four counts of attempted murder and arson. They are requesting anyone with information that can assist them in the tracing and apprehension of a person of interest.
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— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 8, 2025
“It is alleged that the suspect threw a flammable liquid through the bedroom window, which burned the bedroom while a woman and her children were inside and asleep. A 25-year-old woman, her 3 sons, aged 4, 9, and 10, were admitted at a medical facility. A 3-year-old child died as a result of the injuries. The suspect fled the scene and is still at large,” says Provincial police spokesperson, Molefe Shename.
The distraught family say they are putting their hope on the justice system.
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