By Doreen Mokgolo
- A prayer meant to drive out evil spirits ended in flames that destroyed the Dhludlu family home.
- Family members, including children, escaped through windows as the fire trapped them inside.
A mysterious fire broke out during a prayer session at the Dhludlu family’s home in Tsakani, Ekurhuleni, destroying the house and all their belongings.
On Monday, a group of church members gathered in the family’s dining room to pray for Zandile Khoza, who had just been discharged from a psychiatric hospital.
Khoza said she had spent two weeks in hospital for mental health treatment.
The church believed there were evil spirits in the home and called for a special prayer.
“We met on Monday afternoon and at about 4pm, just after we said amen, we saw flames surrounding us,” she said.
“The flames were vicious, like they were fuelled with petrol. We tried to run, but the dining room door was jammed. We had to break the windows and jump out with the children.”
Khoza said the fire spread rapidly and there was no time to save anything.
The pastor’s wife, who got trapped inside, was seriously injured before her husband managed to break down the door and rescue her.
She was rushed to hospital along with other congregants who suffered minor to medium burns. Most have since been released.
“We’ve lost everything — school uniforms, books, and all our valuables,” said Khoza.
The family of 14, which includes three unemployed adults and several schoolchildren, is now pleading for help.
“We don’t know how we’ll recover. It’s raining, and we have no roof over our heads.”
Pictured above: Injured family members.
Image source: Zandile Khoza
