Lungani Zungu
Sifiso Mkhize’s lifelong dream finally came true – but his dream came crashing down when he perished in a shack fire.
Sifiso, 29, finally got his code 14 driver’s licence last week after many failed attempts.
But he died on Monday after his shack, located in Brairdene informal settlement north of Durban, was consumed by flames while he was sleeping after a long day of drinking with friends.
Sifiso’s sister, Nomusa, who also lives in the area, said the electricity was not faulty in the area, which led her to think that a cigarette might have been the cause of the fire.
“I think he forgot to put out his cigarette, which might have fallen and triggered the fire,” she said.
Nomusa said her brother was in a jovial mood after drinking with his friends during the day.
“I saw him later in the day. He was drunk and told me that he was going to his room. That was the last time I saw him alive,” she said.
Nomusa’s family in Showe northern KZN were shocked to hear about Sifiso’s tragic death.
Sifiso was unemployed but hoped that after getting his licence that he would get a job in the trucking industry.
“We don’t know what to do but we have to find a way to bury him this weekend,” she said.
Police confirmed that an inquest docket was opened.
