Lungani Zungu
More than 600 people, including children, were left homeless when their shacks were gutted by fire.
It is unknown what caused the fire that swept through the 200 shacks at Briardene informal settlement, north of Durban last week.
Some of the victims, who were now housed in a tent that was provided by an anonymous Good Samaritan, suspected that an unattended candle in one of the shacks might have caused the fire.
Thapelo Mohati lost everything, including his important documents when his three-room shack caught fire.
“I have to start from scratch now. I have nothing except the clothes that I’m wearing,” Mohati told Scrolla.Africa.
“I’m just glad that my three children are safe.”
Mohati who has been living in the informal settlement for nearly three decades was among the heroes who went door-to-door, rescuing other dwellers from the blaze.
“The safety of people was our top priority. We had to make sure that no person died here,” said 38-year-old Mohati.
“Since I came here those years ago, this is the first time this has ever happened.”
Organisations such as Abahlali BaseMjondolo, Doctors Without Borders, and Amadiba Crisis Committee have been helping the destitute residents with food and blankets.
Another resident Nomusa Mkhize said she watched helplessly as her two-room shack burned to the ground.
“I have been sleeping in a tent with my seven-year-old daughter for almost five days now. I can’t take this anymore.”
Mkhize said they wanted no sympathy from the government.
“If they could help us at least with building material, we will be able to rebuild our houses ourselves,” she said.
Mkhize said some officials from eThekwini municipality had visited them and promised to come back.
The municipality could not be reached for comment.
