Elmon Tshikhudo
On Monday night Monica Litshani and her husband, Jerry Litshani, stood by helplessly as their lifelong dream went up in flames.
For many years, Monica and Jerry survived on odd jobs; she, as a part-time tailor and he as an occasional bricklayer.
Their dream finally became a reality in 2019 when they built and furnished their own seven-room house.
Monica said she was at the home of her mother-in-law when she heard a loud bang.
“Next thing, I saw smoke coming from the roof. Neighbours came and tried to extinguish the fire but the windows were closed. The house burnt down very quickly,” she said.
Monica estimates the loss at more than R200,000.
She said even the sewing machine that she used to generate income was destroyed in the inferno.
“All the learning materials and computers for my children were destroyed,” she said.
We hear the fire may have been caused by a faulty transformer in the village. We’re hopeful the Eskom people will compensate us as they visited us this morning.”
Local traditional leader Headman Ntsieni Makwarela said the transformer had been giving them a tough time.
“Some years ago a house was burnt as a result of this transformer. It starts making sparks and soon the whole house is in darkness. We have engaged Eskom for some time but the problem has not been solved,” he said.
Eskom Thohoyandou Zone spokesperson Shadrack Munyangane said they have dispatched teams to the affected families where investigations are underway.
“We will be guided by the results of the investigation on what to do. We encourage families to report incidents to the Siloam CNC detailing what they have lost,” he said.
