A 42-year-old woman, Bongiwe Wuahid, died after she was burnt beyond recognition inside her shack in the late hours of February 20 at Ext 4, Eldorado Park.

How the fire started remains unclear.

A neighbour, who wished to conceal their identity, told Soweto Urban they were awakened by a loud hooter around 23:00, with someone alerting residents to a fire.

“By the time we went outside, the shack was already ablaze. The flames were very strong. We tried to put out the fire using buckets of water. Members of a private security company also came to assist, but we could not stop it,” said the neighbour.

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The neighbour added that this was not the first time the shack had caught fire.

“During the first incident, there were no casualties because no one was inside. The last time, someone was burning grass, and the fire spread to the shack, but it was not as severe.”

Another resident said she does not believe Wuahid set the shack alight. She described her as a regular alcohol drinker, but responsible and a people person.

“After the first incident, we helped her with furniture, rechargeable light bulbs and chargers. I do not think she would do that to herself. We were told an inquest case has been opened.”

Wuahid’s cousin, Lulamile Xhowesha, said they arrived at the scene around 01:00 and were informed that the shack had burnt down while she was inside.

“We went to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and the police station, but the pathologist did not allow us to see the body. We were told to return on Monday. At the police station, we were also told to come back for the identification form.”

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Her mother, Primrose Mlambo, said they were in Ennerdale when they received a call from the police informing them of the incident.

“We are hurt. What makes it worse is being told she is beyond recognition and we are not allowed to see her,” she said.

Mlambo explained that her daughter had been living with her boyfriend, Jabu, at her yard after the child’s grandmother passed away last year.

“I had left Gauteng to return to the Eastern Cape after my shack burnt down. When I came back, I found my grandchildren were not living in a good environment and were not attending school,” she said.

She added that Wuahid later moved in with her boyfriend, leaving her place abandoned.

Mlambo said the family needs assistance, as Wuahid left behind four children aged 17, 14, 11 and 7, who depend on child support grants.

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The youngest child does not yet have a birth certificate, and she had to submit an affidavit for him to be accepted at school.

Jabu said he was not home when the incident occurred. He said he saw Wuahid twice that evening and noticed she was not her usual self.

“She first came while I was sitting with friends drinking alcohol. She was looking for the key because she wanted to freshen up before going to work,” he said.

He explained that after bathing, she packed her work T-shirt, toothbrush and shoes into her bag and left.

“I later realised she had left her bag. We went back to the shack, and I explained that she had taken it earlier. I then left her there and asked her to leave the key before returning to my friends.

“About an hour later, two boys called my name and told me my shack was on fire. When I arrived, it was already too late.”

The couple shared one child. Jabu said the loss will deeply affect him, adding that their child will now grow up without a mother.

Soweto Urban contacted Eldorado Park SAPS for comment. The police committed to respond once they received a report from the duty officer; no response was received at the time we went to print.