Scores of residents from Villa Liza extension 2 ,Snake Park area where left bewildered when a two roomed shack went ablaze on Sunday afternoon ,no one was injured but all possessions where bunt to ashes by the time Ekurhuleni News reached the scene.
The tenant of the shack Mike Zhuwaki (23) who is a Mozambican national said all was well when he left his shack, but to his surprise when he returned his property was ashes.
“I left the house and there was no problem l switched off all my electrical appliances. I’m shocked to see such a thing. l don’t know where the fire came from,” he said.
Zhuwaki like most foreign Nationals who find it difficult to open bank accounts due to lack of proper documentations kept his money in a bottle jar, but on that day he was unlucky because he lost R2000 in the mysterious fire.
All my money was burnt along with my three beds, a fridge and chairs, Mike disclosed.
The owner of the house, Mr Esrom Laphane who is a Pastor appeared calm, but he revealed that it was not the first time Zhuwaki burnt the shack.
This is the fourth time, but this time it’s too much, Mike is always careless with his appliances, most of the time, me and my wife we extinguish the fire in most cases before it goes out of control, because he usually leaves his house unattended. I’ve been telling him over and over to keep things in order.”
Zhuwaki could not deny but was not sure how many times this had transpired.”It’s true that it happened before but I am not sure how many times,” he declared.
The shack was also accommodating another couple who were not present during the time of the fire and Ekurhuleni News could not reach them for their comment.
I’m much worried about their welfare now, we must make a plan and ensure that they have food ,clothes and blankets today, so I plea to the members of the community to stretch out their hands towards my tenants, to assist in anything they have , everyone makes a mistakes in life but we need to forgive them,” said Laphane.
As the removal of debris started, Devoted Street Ministry and Word and Life Church Humanitarian wing that focuses on aiding underprivileged people, offered a helping hand. Speaking to Ekurhuleni News the leader of the humanitarian group Mr Koos Gouws said “We are going to assist the two families and more help is on the way.
By Emmanuel Kaitano
