Fires claimed the lives of two women, aged 29 and 94 two weeks ago.
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) spokesperson Simon April said an investigation by the municipality’s disaster officials revealed that Thembekile Dlamini (94) was asleep when the fire started on a property in Murchison in the early hours of Friday, July 12.
The neighbours assisted by rushing Dlamini to Murchison Hospital. She was later reported dead.
At the time, Dlamini was staying with her disabled son in the yard.
“On assessment, it was discovered that there was a lot of smoke inside the room where she was sleeping,” said April.
Emergency relief in the form of blankets, mattresses, pots, and cutlery was distributed to the family.
In a separate incident, the municipality’s emergency control room received a call from a member of the public reporting shacks on fire at KwaMasinenge Informal Settlement during the early hours of last Saturday.
April said RNM’s fire service was dispatched together with Ugu Fire Services for backup.
On arrival, five shacks made of timber were fully engulfed with flames, and the body of Sithaba Mampofu (29) from Bizana Lukholo Location was found.
“The information received is that Mampofu arrived in KwaMasinenge two days before the incident to seek employment and that she was staying with her boyfriend, Linda Msomi, who is hospitalised due to injuries from the same fire,” said April.
April said it’s also alleged that the fire started inside Msomi’s shack and was caused by a stove.
He added a further seven people were affected by the fire.
Police were also on the scene, and emergency relief in the form of blankets, plastic and mattresses was distributed.
Affected families are currently residing with the landlord.
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