Shack burns down after alleged lovers quarrel in Mkhaqwa informal settlement
One of the victims inside the shack, Jonah Mthembu, says she barely escaped with her life.
Ten people were left homeless after an early morning fire burned their shack to the ground in Mkhaqwa informal settlement after an alleged lovers quarrel.
According to their neighbours, the alleged perpetrator arrived at the shack before dawn on Saturday looking for his girlfriend whom he suspected of cheating on him.
After not finding her home, the man removed his child from the shack and set it alight.
The man then fled the scene when the community gave chase and ended up in a nearby dam where he drowned.
One of the victims inside the shack, Jonah Mthembu, says she barely escaped with her life.
“I woke up to the smell of smoke and woke my partner up and he noticed the flames.
“I have difficulty walking so I had to crawl to get out of the shack.
Front: Nkosinathi Mngomezulu, Siviwe Nkumbi and Lehlonolo Madam were hard at work clearing the scene so the shack could be rebuilt as soon as possible.
“My ID, cards, phone, medication, money and clothes were all inside and they’ve all gone up in flames.
“My heart is broken,” says Mthembu.
The community rallied to help the affected victims and were clearing the rubble at the scene by the following day.
Springs CPF chairperson Barend van Heerden says: “The Springs community and Springs CPF members donated infant clothes, shoes, toys, children’s clothes, blankets, pillows, socks and some food.
“There wasn’t even space for a passenger in my car. You all gave so much and I would like to thank each and every one of you.
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“It really means a lot to the victims of the fire. The oldest person was a 75 and lost everything. She received a special blanket that I know her and her partner will cherish for years to come,” says van Heerden.
Ward councillor Thulani Simelane was also on the scene to hand over donations from people in Ward 74 and to help with the clean-up.
“It’s fortunate that people survived and there were no injuries.
“We request that the government speed up housing development in Mkhaqwa.
“The longer the delay, the more the potential is for accidents like this,” says Simelane.
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