Aid for fire survivors
Various role players have rallied together to assist the families of the victims
The recent fire at a house in Wesselton in which six family members perished (Highvelder 15 July) has left a community shocked and distraught.
The six, Mandla Msibi (54), Lindiwe Msibi (20), her two children, Sisanda Sibeko (4) and Boy Sibeko (2), Nkosingphile Mkhonto (15) and Sethu Msibi (13) died in the fire that gutted their house in Mandela Drive on 8 July.
A delegation from the Msukaligwa Municipality under the leadership of Executive Mayor Mr Sipho Bongwe visited the scene immediately after the incident and assembled a team comprising the Department of Social Development, the Msukaligwa Local Municipality, local funeral parlours and the Taxi Association with a view to assisting the remaining family members and neighbours.
The Department of Social Development through Social workers assisted with counselling to the father of the two minor children, the siblings and neighbours of the deceased. They also appointed catering companies who prepared food for immediate needs.
The municipality provided five graves to the family as well as use of the halls for both the memorial services and funeral.
Local funeral parlours donated five coffins and transport for the families.
The Taxi Association also assisted by providing transport for the funeral-goers as well as the hiring of the marquee tent.
Local businesses kindly donated food and ingredients worth more than R40 000.
Speaking on behalf of the municipality, Mr Bongwe expressed his sincere gratitude to the philanthropists who contributed to ensure that the Msibi and Sibeko familiy members were buried with dignity.
