Second Masinenge fire claims another victim

A 30-year-old man, Nkosingiphile Mthangala died during the fire that gutted over 70 households in Masinenge Informal Settlement last Saturday.

The fire which claimed Mthangala’s life occurred less than a month after another fire gutted over 100 households in Masinenge in July.

According to residents, they are unaware of the cause of the fire, but only know that it happened around midnight that day, and they lost their homes with all their belongings.

The deceased’s brother, Delani Mthangala told Fever that it had not even been a year that Nkosingiphile had been living in Masinenge.

He said he was living there due to work as he was employed in Manaba.

“His death has shocked us, it was too sudden, we were not expecting it. He was still young and we still had high hopes for him. He had just turned 30 and it had not been even a year of him living in Masinenge. He was my younger brother, we will miss everything about him in so many ways,” said Mthangala.

Police spokesperson, Sergeant Sibu Ncane said Margate police are investigating an inquest case, and that the cause of the fire is unknown at this stage.

Meanwhile, Masinenge ward committee member Luleka Magigaba said they are worried about fires in the area, as they are still recovering from the loss of a life in the July fire.

Magigaba urges residents to stop walking around at night and using stoves while intoxicated.

“We wish the police could patrol and make sure that taverns close at a specific time and that people do not galivant. We suspect that alcohol may have a role in these fires,” she said.
KZN MEC for Cogta, Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi said they are concerned that this is the second incident in a very short space of time.

“We urge the public to exercise caution and adhere to safety guidelines when dealing with electricity and any heating appliance. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased,” she said.

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