The devastated family of Phelokuhle Sikotoyi (1), who died in a house fire in Magogogweni, Ezintandaneni in Gamalakhe on the South Coast of KZN, believe it was load-shedding that caused the fire which claimed the life of the little girl.

The family say the fire last Friday afternoon started moments after electricity was restored after a period of power cuts, and Phelokuhle had been asleep in her room at the time. The situation was made worse as the family did not have water with which to attempt to put out the fire.

Margate SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Sibu Ncane confirms the incident. “Gamalakhe police were called to the scene and found that there were two children in the room, the one-year-old, and a five-year-old, the latter who managed to escape the fire and survive.”

“Police responded to a scene at Mkhize Road in Gamalakhe where a baby girl was found dead after a fire had occurred at the residence. The necessary emergency services responded, however, the child died on the scene. The cause of the fire will be investigated via an inquest docket,” explains Ncane.

There is concern that house fires, supposedly caused by load-shedding surges are becoming increasingly common. Often, the victims have nothing with which to rebuild their homes and they usually don’t have insurance.

The question many are asking is who should be held responsible for repairs and rebuilding? Ward 28 councillor Bhekithemba Zulu says that after being notified, he contacted Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) Disaster Management to bring relief to the family.

Zulu adds that relief given was ‘not enough’ and he urges the community to assist the family. He says he will ask the Department of Social Development to intervene, and appeals to those who could assist with school uniforms and clothing to do so.

In a separate incident last year, a house in Mtwalume was engulfed by fire after a period of load-shedding. An elderly woman, who escaped the fire, was left with nothing but the clothes on her back.

The only assistance she received was from members of the community and some relief from the RNM Disaster Management in the form of a food voucher, a mattress, and some blankets, but her home was not repaired.

RNM and Eskom were contacted for comment, but none had been forthcoming.