Fires in Madelakufa leave one dead, 85 homeless
Fire destroyed about 15 shacks in two successive incidents in Madelakufa 2 Informal Settlement
Fire destroyed about 15 shacks in two incidents in Madelakufa 2 Informal Settlement, leaving about 85 people homeless and one dead.
The first occurred on Sunday when a 22-year-old man burned to death after his shack caught fire.
It is believed the deceased, Sikelela Mbhele, had lit a candle and fell asleep after he arrived from work in the early hours of the morning.
The fire broke out around 5am and destroyed all his property, including his documents.
The deceased’s sister, Buyisiwe Mbhele, said residents tried to stop the blaze that engulfed her brother’s shack by using buckets of water, but it was too late to rescue him.
“I think my brother was tired and forgot to put out the candle. I am still saddened by the incident because we were unable to reach out to him,” added Mbhele. She said her brother was a people’s person, open and kind.
“He would make you laugh even if you didn’t want to. As a family, we have lost a great young man who still had a bright future ahead. We are planning to bury him in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape on October 28,” said Mbhele.
On Monday, about 14 shacks were burned down in the same settlement, which left about 85 families homeless. It is believed this fire was caused by a Primus stove when it exploded when left unattended while the owner of the shack was outside looking for her three-year-old child.
The owner was preparing food when the stove exploded.
A resident and community leader in the informal settlement, Sello Masekoameng, said they called in Ekurhuleni firefighters for help but the team arrived late.
“Residents were angered by their late arrival and chased them away.
“We also phoned the Red Ants team to help us erect new shacks as they have material from the demolished shacks in Madelakufa Two when people were allocated houses. We are still waiting for them,” added Masekoameng.
The affected families are currently sleeping at the homes of their neighbours and families while they wait for help.
He said members from Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management brought in food parcels for the victims on Tuesday morning.
“We appeal to members of the community to help the victims with any donations of food, clothing and shack material,” said Masekoameng.
DA PR councillor Masirishane Debeila said they’ve donated clothing and sanitary towels for the victims.
“We are working with other stakeholders to push for new shack material so we can start erecting homes for the victims. DA members also promised to bring material tomorrow [Wednesday],” added Debeila.
Meanwhile ward 8 councillor Nomthantazo Sibulawa said she had contacted the Red Ants to help erect new shacks.
“The disaster management team donated food parcels and members of the community are contributing as well,” added Sibulawa.
Tembisa SAPS spokesperson, Const Patricia Mgijima, said an inquest had been registered at the station regarding the first incident.
“For the other incident, no case was opened,” added Mgijima.
