Four families left homeless after alleged arson attack in Princess informal settlement

Four shacks were destroyed when a fire broke out in the Princess informal settlement in the early hours of Tuesday, July 8, leaving four families destitute and in urgent need.

The blaze, believed to be caused by arson, destroyed everything, including blankets, clothes, food, and beds, but no fatalities were reported.

According to Ellen Mudau, the landlord of the affected homes, the fire broke out around 00:30, and she alleges that the motive behind the incident is due to a relationship feud between one of her tenants and her boyfriend.

“We managed to stop the fire; however, the tenants lost everything, including my son, who was staying in one of the four shacks.”

Mudau expresses gratitude to the neighbours who assisted in putting out the fire, saying, “We were up from 00:30 to 04:00, and we are grateful to the community that came to assist us.

“It could have been a huge fire because the shacks are close to each other, and some residents have gas stoves.”

Kefilwe Molapo, one of the victims, spoke to the Roodepoort Record and mentioned that the previous night at about 22:00, she spotted the suspect arsonist outside.

She says he tried to intimidate her, but she quickly ran back inside and alerted her husband.

“My husband and I smelled petrol and paraffin before seeing the flames. We’re grateful no one was hurt,” she says.

A case of arson has been opened at Roodepoort Police Station, and the community is coming to terms with the traumatic event. The affected families are now in urgent need of assistance to rebuild their lives.

For more information, contact Ellen Mudau on 072 305 2314.