Gran and toddler set alight

GEORGE NEWS - A young mother (29) from Thembalethu who allegedly intentionally set her home in Zone 9 on fire with her six-year-old daughter and her mother (51) locked inside, made her first court appearance in the George Magistrate's Court yesterday, Wednesday 22 November.

Frances Helen (aka Bulelwa) Steenkamp is facing charges of murder and arson after her daughter Avethandwa, and mother Angela Steenkamp, died in the blaze.

The horrific incident occurred in Yawani Street at approximately 03:00 on Monday 20 November.

It is believed that the mother lit candles and put them underneath the beds in both bedrooms, as well as in the living room. She alledgedly stayed until she was sure the furniture caught fire before she locked the doors and left the shack burning with her daughter and mother locked inside.

She then walked down the street and stood by while she casually watched the informal home burning to the ground while neighbours and residents were clambering to kill the blaze. Fortunately no other homes were involved in the inferno and no other injuries were reported.

According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies, police responded to the scene where they found human remains of the two bodies in the debris.

At the time of going to print on Wednesday morning, court details could not yet be confirmed.

According to a family friend, Marshall Muller, Steenkamp was a much-loved teacher at a crèche in Lawaaikamp for many years.

"She really loved her community, her work and looking after the little ones. She was an example of love for her people. This is the main reason I let her look after my children as well. I knew they were safe with her. "Her untimely death leaves a giant hole and I don't know how it can ever be filled," he said.

Little Avethandwa and her grandmother Angela Steenkamp were both burned to death when the informal dwelling they lived in, was set alight.