By Celani Sikhakhane
- The ANC says it is wrong to assume the fire at Dube-Ncube’s home was about her new role as Deputy Minister of Higher Education.
- Firefighters contained the blaze in under 30 minutes, but three cars and part of the house were destroyed.
The African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal has rejected claims that the fire which destroyed part of Nomusa Dube-Ncube’s property was linked to her appointment as Deputy Minister of Higher Education.
ANC provincial task team spokesperson Fanle Sibisi told Gagasi FM: “In fact no one knew about her appointment as the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and that’s why we didn’t issue a statement about her property burning matter. She told us early in the morning on Monday that her house in Kloof was burnt down including her more than three cars.”
Dube-Ncube was recently appointed Deputy Minister after her term as the first female Premier of KwaZulu-Natal ended on 29 May 2024.
She previously served as the first female speaker of the Durban metropolitan council under mayor Obed Mlaba. She worked closely with the late King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu as Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs MEC before being posted as ambassador to the Czech Republic.
She was removed from eThekwini politics years ago after reportedly being seen as a threat to Mlaba’s leadership. In 2011, she turned down a mayoral nomination reportedly because of her fear of Zandile Gumede.
EThekwini emergency services commander Sibusiso Dlamini said the fire gutted the garage, three cars, and part of the house. “In our investigation, we realised that it was a three-garage structure with some cottages attached to it at the back. Three cars were in the garage. They were all completely gutted and destroyed. The garage section was also completely gutted,” he said.
He added: “The accommodation side of the structure was partially damaged as well. The entire house, slightly detached from the other structure… It was not saved.”
Dlamini confirmed no one was hurt and the cause of the fire is still unknown. “We’re hoping that with further investigation, maybe we will get to know what really caused the fire,” he said.
Pictured above: former premier Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, now deputy minister, after her house was burnt (KZN Cogta).
Image source: KZN Cogta
