UPDATE: Five die in Mamelodi shack fire
Residents blame the DA administration for the death of five people.
Residents of Alaska Informal Settlement in Mamelodi East have blamed the DA administration for the death of five people in a shack fire on Saturday night.
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Local councillor Morwangwato Mantjane said he was deeply saddened by the tragedy and he suspected the fire might have been caused by the illegal electricity connections in the area.
“Emergency services were called and arrived on time but due to the fact that there are no proper roads, they could not reach the fire and residents were running up and down with water buckets trying to put out the fire,” said Mantjane.
Tshwane MMC for housing and human settlements, Mandla Nkomo said the Msimanga administration wishes to extend its heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the victims of the Alaska informal settlement fire.
“To this end, the administration will be looking at ways to assist the families affected by this tragic loss of life and to mitigate these fires from occurring in future so that we can end this devastating loss of life and limb,” said Nkomo.
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Gauteng police spokesperson Kay Makhubela said the police were investigating an inquest docket.
He said the fire started around midnight on Saturday and the five people burnt to ashes,” said Makhubela.
The deceased are Isaac Ramalepe (35), wife Mathapelo (30), daughter Ramokone (8), son Boikgantsho (6) and relative Jerry Temane (27).
Makhubela said the cause of the fire was still unknown.
Mantjane said the burial date had not been confirmed.
Read the full story in this week’s Mamelodi Record.
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