Thandekile Ngwenya (37), and her two children Lindokuhle Ngwenya (4) and Nkanyezi Ngwenya (three months old), were burnt beyond recognition during the fire that broke out while they were asleep at night at around 9pm.
Neo Motloung, the neighbour, tried to help after Nhlanhla Ngwenya, shouted for help.
Motloung said by the time Nhlanhla came out screaming for help, the fire had already damaged the house structure.
“When I got closer, I heard the cry of helpless voices from inside the burning house, and that is when I realised there were people trapped inside,” Motloung told Kathorus MAIL.
He said as he heard screaming voices inside, he tried to walk through the flames to save the trapped family members but was restrained by other community members, warning he might not come out alive. By that time, he said, the fire had already caused extensive damage to the house.
When Kathorus MAIL arrived on the scene, the relatives expressed shock not knowing what to do as they watched the house razed to the ground.
Thembi Ngwenya-Motloung said Nhlanhla would stay with one of the relatives.
Bheki Ngwenya, the husband of the deceased (Thandekile), said the incident has dealt the family a huge blow as they did not know how they are going to bury his family.
However, the City of Ekurhuleni have committed to help, according to the Ekurhuleni Department of Human Settlements(EDHS) MMC, Lesiba Mpya.
“The EDHS MMC Lesiba Mpya and his team were there to assess the extent of the damage of the house, and said the reconstruction would commence soon, possibly on Tuesday, July 2. The municipality will also assist with the burial of the family members,” Ngwenya-Motloung said.
Coordinator of Ekurhuleni Service Delivery Forum (ESDF) Bessie Mabote said the late arrival of the Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) must shoulder the blame for the death of the family members. She said the deaths could have been avoided if they had responded on time.
But William Ntladi, district manager and media liaison of DEMS, rubbished the claims made by Mabote, and said they arrived on the scene six minutes after receiving the call.
Revonia Kgabitsi of Ward 36 said the EDHS would go an extra mile to assist the family members and would host a huge ceremony to reopen the house after renovations have been completed.
“The reopening will take place on Mandela Day, July 18,” said Phakathi.
Ntladi advised community members to call 011 458 0911 in case of any life-threatening emergencies for the swift activation and intervention of relevant resources.
“Alternatively, they can use the national emergency toll free number which is 10177 or 112,” said Ntladi.
