Family seeks help to bury young fire victims
Their bodies were burnt beyond recognition, and their families now face a painful wait of three weeks for DNA tests before they can bury them.
Four children who tragically died in a shack fire in Villa Liza will only be buried in three weeks, once DNA testing is complete.
The fire, which broke out on June 27 during load-shedding and a water outage, claimed the lives of Anele Shabalala (14), Liyakha Shabalala (5), and half-brothers Nkazimulo and Mfanelo Mthabela, both aged four.
Their bodies were burnt beyond recognition, leaving their families devastated and unable to lay them to rest until DNA confirms each child’s identity.
“We’ve been told we must wait about three weeks for the DNA results before we can bury them,” said Ntanteza Ntuli, grandmother of the two Mthabela boys.
“It’s the worst kind of pain. We’re stuck. We can’t say goodbye. We can’t even begin to heal.”
The Mthabela and Shabalala families lived in two separate shacks in the same yard. Both homes caught fire that night, engulfing the spaces where the children were staying.
Also Read: Family of seven loses everything in shack fire
The Mthabela boys had been visiting from KwaZulu-Natal for the school holidays. The Shabalala family, close family friends, had been caring for them. According to Ntuli, the father of the Shabalala household was the only adult at home with the children at the time.
“He left to buy food during load-shedding. After several minutes without his return, a 16-year-old sibling who was also at home went to look for him,” she said.
“When they came back, the shacks were already on fire.”
A water outage at the time made firefighting efforts nearly impossible, allowing the fire to spread rapidly.
The families believe a candle left burning may have started the blaze. Now, they are facing unimaginable grief, compounded by the financial strain of covering funeral costs, food shortages, and the difficulty of transporting the children’s remains home.
“We are appealing to anyone who can help us. We don’t have the money for the funeral, for food, or for travel. All we want is to give the children a dignified burial. Waiting three weeks feels like being stuck in the middle of the pain.”
Despite support from some local neighbours, CPF members, and community organisations, the families remain in urgent need.
“Please, if you can help, reach out. We just want to bury our children and begin to mourn properly.”
To assist the family with funeral costs, food, or transport, please contact 076 045 0338 or 071 166 6574.
Also Read: Two children die in Vosloorus shack fire
