The family of a woman who passed away at George Mukhari Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa, north of Pretoria, wants answers before proceeding with burial arrangements. Lerato Motlhamme (35), the mother of two, tragically died in a fire at the hospital on Monday when a fire broke out in the female psychiatric ward. 

Lerato's sister, Molebogeng Mothlamme, said the family is still struggling to deal with their loss. Lerato was admitted to the psychiatric ward last Thursday. It's alleged that she was placed in the secluded room on Monday as part of her prescribed treatment. According to Molebogeng, the family needs answers and clarity from the hospital regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident before they can consider burial or counselling. "All we want is answers because what I saw was not my sister, it was not the Lerato that we brought to the hospital. So, we are asking for answers. Can the hospital please tell us something? We are devastated, we cannot go on with the funeral because we don't know what happened to her. We cannot just bury someone without knowing what happened and what triggered the fire," Molebogeng said, adding that her sister was the breadwinner in the family.

When the fire broke out, the hospital managed to evacuate other psychiatric patients, but it was too late for Lerato who was kept by herself. "There is nothing my sister could have done to cause that fire," said Molebogeng. The hospital has launched an urgent probe into the fire and said it has offered the family of the deceased psycho-social support but all the family wants are answers.