Two men tragically lost their lives after a fire broke out in the LR informal settlement in Makhaza, Khayelitsha, Cape Town, allegedly sparked by a girlfriend flying into a jealous rage.
Local committee leader Lydia Natewu was woken by screams just before midnight.
“I didn’t go out immediately because I was still trying to find out which area was burning,” she said.
“I went out and saw the fire and rushed to the area that was burning.”
The fire reportedly began after a couple’s argument.
“I heard that the lady used a candle and the boyfriend put it out and went to sleep. The girlfriend allegedly put paraffin on her boyfriend and tried to set him on fire, but he woke up. The fire had already affected other shacks,” said Natewu.
Another resident, speaking anonymously, expressed anger at the woman responsible.
“Two males died inside their shacks when they couldn’t make it out. The boyfriend, on the other hand, survived, but two innocent souls have lost their lives because of stupidity,” said the resident.
“The lady knew when she set fire to their shack, it would affect other people who had nothing to do with their relationship.”
Seven shacks and a small shop were destroyed in the blaze, and some residents scavenged burnt items from the shop.
“I was so shocked to see residents taking some of the burnt products from the shop, saying they would eat them. I tried to stop them, but they wouldn’t listen,” said the resident.
A survivor who lost all her belongings said she was grateful to escape alive.
“I was tired and went to bed early. When the residents screamed that there was a fire, I thought I was dreaming until someone came to kick in my door. That was when I ran out, leaving everything inside, including my kids’ new clothes,” she said.
Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said police in Khayelitsha have registered an inquest and are investigating the cause of the fire. “Police members attended the scene where two bodies were found in the debris. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined. The circumstances are under investigation,” said Twigg.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
Pictured above: Two people died in a fire incident that was caused by a jealous girlfriend; the incident happened at the LR informal settlement in Khayelitsha township, Cape Town.
Source: Buziwe Nocuze
