Kauna Shikwambi on the death of two minors in the One Nation informal settlement

[PODCAST]

A mother, Saveria Ishidhimbwa, is mourning the unimaginable loss of her two young children — Elias, aged 6, and Laimi, just 4 — who tragically lost their lives in a shack fire while she was away working a night shift.

In a gut-wrenching turn of events, a simple goodnight phone call was the last time she would ever hear their voices. This incident has sparked national outcry — not just over the dangers of shack fires — but also about child safety, parental struggles, and the realities of informal living conditions.

So we’re asking: where do we draw the line between survival and child neglect? And what are the systemic failures that leave vulnerable families to face these tragedies alone?

Khomas Regional Police spokesperson deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi unpacks this situation, discusses ongoing investigations, and explore how we as a society can do better to protect our children.