Fire in Mahala Park leaves family destitute
According to a WhatsApp-message circulating, there was no fire truck available to attend the emergency.
A family from Mahala Park is left with the clothes on their backs after a raging fire on Wednesday, 31 July.
Ms Noxolo Booi was hanging washing outside at about 2pm when she saw smoke coming from the roof of their five-roomed-house.
She immediately ran inside and found her youngest son, the four-year-old Sanele, trying to hide under the bed in one of the bedrooms.
Ms Booi grabbed him and ran outside to safety.
At that stage, neighbours and bystanders were calling the police and fire brigade and tried to extinguish the fire with hosepipes.
Kasselman Security Services (KSS) was on the scene, but the fire brigade did not arrive. According to a WhatsApp-message circulating, there was no fire truck available to attend the emergency.
The Standerton Advertiser called Mr John Kock, Chief Fire and Disaster Management Officer, on 1 August and was referred to the communications manager of the Lekwa Municipality, Ms Thobeka Mtshiselwa.
Ms Mtshiselwa said on Friday, 2 August that a fire truck was available.
The newspaper arranged a meeting with the Chief Whip, Ms Mapaseka Molaba, councillor for Ward 3, on 1 August.
Ms Booi was in attendance and Mr Kock and other officers of his department arrived shortly afterwards.
“I will get a report from the fire department,” Ms Molaba said.
“It is dreadful what had happened and not the first time a fire occurs in Ward 3.”
According to Ms Molaba, a campaign is underway to talk to the community.
The destitute family is now in need of immediate basic necessities and the children found refuge at a neighbour, while Ms Booi slept outside. She could only immediately tick off a bed, stove and clothes that are urgently needed.
Ms Booi is unemployed and has two other children, Buhle and Themba.
Ms Molaba said food will be organised and any donations can be delivered to her office at the municipal building in Mbonani Mayisela Street, first floor. Contact her at 072 322 1149.
“I don’t know how the fire started. The coal stove was not burning and we have no electricity,” Ms Booi said.
