The police want to warn the public about the dangers of the imbawula.
An imbawula, also known as a brazier, is a make-shift coal stove made out of a large tin with holes in the sides and is designed to burn for a long time.
This method of heating and cooking is commonly used during winter.
Though it fights off the cold, it also poses serious danger.Inhalation of toxic fumes originating from the imbawula has caused a number of deaths over the weekend.
According to Sgt Media Khoza, on Saturday, in Tsakani, the body of a 28-year-old male was found next to his girlfriend, who was also found lying still.
It is believed that they inhaled furnace smoke whilst asleep.
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In yet another incident in Nigel a security guard, believed to be in his 30’s, was found dead by a colleague in the guard room.
It is alleged that his colleague found the room full of smoke and the deceased next to the imbawula.
It is suspected that he was asleep when he died of smoke inhalation.
On Sunday morning, in Duduza, a family friend made a gruesome discovery of three family members found dead inside their home in Phumulamqashi Section.
It is alleged that the victims, aged 33, 10 and 16, went to sleep with the imbawula burning in their home.
This after their parents left for Limpopo.
The parents tried to call them the next morning, but couldn’t reach them.
They then sent a family friend to check on them.
On arrival he knocked several times until he broke the window to gain entry.
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In a passage he found the imbawula.
Two of the victims were lying dead in one of the bedrooms, the other lying dead in the kitchen floor, and another was found alive, but unconscious in the other bedroom and was rushed to hospital.
“Police are pleading and warning people to be extra cautious of putting the imbawula inside their houses while all doors and windows are closed.
In fact, at all cost people should avoid sleeping while the imbawula is burning in their homes and the only place to use the imbawula safely is outside their houses.”