By Rorisang Modiba
- Ngizwe Mchunu says people accusing him of burning his own home for attention are ignoring what his children lost too.
- Supporters have reportedly raised more than R30,000, while police investigate the fire that destroyed his Mbumbulu family home on Sunday.
Ngizwe Mchunu says he did not burn his own family home for attention.
The podcaster and activist spoke out after a fire destroyed his home in Mbumbulu, south of Durban, on Sunday. The fire burnt the main house and traditional rondavels.
Mchunu said people are now claiming he started the fire himself to get sympathy.
“Like everyone else, I was deeply shocked,” he said.
“My children didn’t go to school; their class assignments were burned down, and other learning materials. But now people are saying I burned the house because I want attention.”
Mchunu said no person would choose to burn down their own home and put their family in danger.
“No matter how drunk one can get, you wouldn’t wake up and choose to burn your own house down,” he said.
The fire allegedly started after unknown men arrived in the area looking for Mchunu. His children survived, but their schoolbooks, assignments and other learning materials were destroyed.
Mchunu is a former radio personality and now works as a podcaster linked to the MacG Network. He is known for his political commentary and views on social issues.
He has faced criticism for comments about illegal immigration, politicians and racial groups. The South African Hindu Dharma Sabha has also lodged a complaint against him with the South African Human Rights Commission over comments aimed at the Indian community.
Despite the backlash around him, support has started coming in after the fire.
Reports claim supporters from the Eastern Cape raised more than R30,000 to help rebuild the family home after an online crowdfunding campaign struggled at first.
Photos and videos shared online also showed people linked to the uMkhonto weSizwe Party visiting the burnt property.
Police have opened an arson investigation and are still looking for the suspects.
Pictured above: Ngizwe Mchunu.
Image source: @ngizweonline
