JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – One of the two men injured in a fire in Verona Street, Rosettenville, last week, passed away on Monday evening, May 4. They were both Malawians; Justine Yusuf (deceased) and Richard Befi.
They were cleaning a carpet with petrol in the building when the fire started.
The COURIER spoke to Albert Mphande, an event co-ordinator for the Association of Malawians Living in South Africa, who said that they are trying to repatriate the deceased to his home.
“These men were picked up for a part-time job and then this unfortunate freak accident happened,” he added.
”We are trying to raise funds to send Justine home for burial. The people who hired them are prepared to pay half of the R11 500 the undertaker is charging. They are very sympathetic about this tragedy.
”We are appealing to the community of the South to help us. The whole transportation and funeral costs adds up to about R16 000. People back at home are desperate to have his body.”
Justine is from Southern Malawi, in the District Dedza, called VH Malindima.
Richard Befi is out of the hospital and he, too, needs to go back home.
Any good Samaritan can contact Albert on 074 991 6393, or Monica Nyika on 078 116 8215.