Sinthumule family loses home in fire
A devastating fire destroyed the Mutepe family’s eight-bedroom home in Tshikwani, leaving them with nothing and pleading for community support.
LIMPOPO – The Mutepe family from Tshikwani village in the Sinthumule area was left devastated after their eight-bedroom house burned to ashes in the early hours of October 25.
No one was home at the time, and nothing could be saved from the raging fire. The family has been left without food, clothing and shelter, and is appealing to the community for help with essentials such as food, clothes, furniture, household items and building materials.
The exact cause of the fire remains unknown. The owner of the home, Takalani Mutepe, was at work far from home when he received a call about the fire. Neighbours could only watch helplessly as flames engulfed the house, as there was no water available to fight the fire. The blaze is believed to have started in the sitting room.
“It took me many years to complete this house, and seeing it reduced to ashes is something I cannot accept. We have lost everything, our furniture, our valuables, our memories. We are shattered and pleading for any kind of assistance. For now, we are relying on our councillor and traditional council, who have collected our details and promised to follow up,” Mutepe said.
Local traditional leader, chief Mbulaheni Ramabulana, expressed sympathy and urged the family to remain strong.
“It is a time to be united and put everything in God’s hands. The family has lost what they built over many years, and they will need the community’s support to start again,” he said.
