Dad faces double homicide charges after kids burn to death

A Mitchells Plain father faces two charges of culpable homicide after his two daughters died in a fire on Tuesday.

The Daily Voice can also reveal that the man has been charged with raping a nine-year-old earlier this year.

Cameron Adams, 30, appeared in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate's Court on Wednesday where Magistrate Alwira Bezuidenhout seemed shocked as she read his file.

Adams, from Colorado Park, was arrested on a charge of child neglect shortly after the blaze, while the children’s mother, 27, apparently ran away after the tragedy.

Zaytoon Brand, two, and her eight-month-old sister, Zaynoorah, burnt to death after their parents apparently made a fire inside the Wendy house to keep warm, but then left the toddlers inside and allegedly went to smoke tik.

Oupa Harold Adams, 65, says he woke up shortly after 2am to find the Wendy house engulfed in flames.

“I woke up because the lights were flickering. I went to one of the rooms and saw the flames right by the window. I ran to the Wendy house, but it was too late. I heard the explosions and knew they were dead,” he told the Daily Voice.

Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk, said on Tuesday morning that the father had been arrested on child negligence charges.

But according to a source, this charge was changed later in the day as the father’s alleged actions had led to the childrens’ deaths.

“He also has a rape charge and was supposed to be in court anyways for that charge,” says the source.

During court proceedings on Wednesday, Adams appeared sad as he stood in the dock wearing a black pants, beige jersey and a maroon body warmer.

His emotional relatives could be seen in the public gallery and appeared shocked to hear that he would be facing additional charges.

Bezuidenhout informed the accused that he would be facing two charges of culpable homicide and one charge of child abuse.

It was also revealed that Adams had allegedly raped a nine-year-old girl close to him and was arrested in January and subsequently released on R300 bail.

Bezuidenhout said Adams will now appear in the regional court on 11 July for the rape case and will be back at the magistrate's court on the same day for the remaining charges.

monique.duval@inl.co.za