Seven burnt to death in Umzumbe
Ngwabe told the Fever that his family died while they were preparing for a cultural ceremony to honour their ancestors.
Seven family members including a two-week-old baby died after their Umzumbe home burnt down last Saturday.
Five of them, Bongekile Mthembu (37), Noluthando Mthembu (9), Anathi Mthembu (9), Zanokuhle Mthembu (2 weeks) and Onge Mthembu (2) died on the scene while Thobeka Mthembu and Ayabonga Mthembu died whilst receiving medical attention in a hospital, said family spokesperson, Siphumelele Ngwabe.
Ngwabe told the Fever that his family died while they were preparing for a cultural ceremony to honour their ancestors. He said it was painful that while they were planning a joyful event something tragic happened.
“Everything was burnt down from our identity documents (IDs) to bank cards, nothing was left behind and what happened in our home was something very unusual and disturbing. And as a result, we are still in shock as the family,” said Ngwabe, adding that they are grateful for both Ugu District Municipality and Umzumbe Municipality for the assistance they have received.
He added that they are also grateful to the provincial government which promised help to bury the seven family members. Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala together with MEC for Social Development, Nonhlanhla Khoza, and MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka visited the Mthembu family in Ward 2 near Nomageje School.
Zikalala said it was clear that the family requires the support of the government in rebuilding their home, and standing on their own.
He said government will assist the family as they recover from the tragedy, saying that they will facilitate the obtaining of IDs, SASSA cards, school certificates, and any related help that the family may need.
“We will also assist the survivors with the psycho-social support, trauma debriefing, and containment. Government is currently in touch with the family in order to help with arrangements for the burial of those who lost their lives,” he said.
He added: “On behalf of the government and people of KwaZulu-Natal, we wish to express our sincerest condolences to the Mthembu family on this sad and tragic loss. Our thoughts are with them as they seek to come to terms with this tragedy. We will do everything in our power as all levels of government to support the survivors and to make sure this passes and they are able to recover and heal their wounds.”
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Fever’s Facebook page
