The Gauteng acting premier, Lebogang Maile, visited the grief-stricken family of five people who died in a shack fire at the Steve Biko informal settlement in Etwatwa on November 9.

Maile was accompanied by the MEC for Human Settlements, Tasneem Motara, the CoEs MMC for Community Safety, Sizakele Masuku, and the MMC for Developmental Planning and Real Estate, Nomadlozi Nkosi, on November 11.

The delegation extended condolences and pledged support on behalf of the Gauteng Provincial Government.

A 19-year-old boy, the sole survivor of the tragedy, escaped unharmed as he had been sleeping in an outside room a few metres from the main house when the fire broke out.

Maile said the survivor would receive temporary shelter while the city works to rebuild the family home.

“On behalf of the Gauteng Provincial Government, I convey our heartfelt condolences to the family. We are deeply saddened by this loss and commit to ensuring that the deceased receives a dignified funeral,” said Maile.

Officials confirmed that the teen is receiving trauma counselling and psychosocial support and will enrol in a skills development programme through the Department of Social Development to help him rebuild his life.

Meanwhile, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has confirmed that two of the young victims were learners at the Dr Harry Gwala Secondary School and Thembelihle Primary School.

According to GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona, the victims include a 17-year-old Grade 11 learner from Dr Harry Gwala Secondary School, her 11-year-old brother, a Grade Six learner at Thembelihle Primary School, and their one-year-old sister.

“We are devastated by the loss of young lives and their parents. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and school communities during this painful time. We will continue to support them,” said Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane.

DEMS spokesperson William Ntladi said firefighters were called to the scene and arrived to find the five-room shack, consisting of three bedrooms, a kitchen, and a dining room, engulfed in flames.

“DEMS personnel discovered five charred bodies under the burnt structure, believed to be those of the parents and their three children. Paramedics declared all of them dead at the scene,” said Ntladi.

The Etwatwa police have opened an investigation into the cause of the fire.

Also Read: Shack fire claims five family members in Etwatwa

Also Read: Two children die in shack fire