WHEN the family’s three-roomed shack burnt down on Wednesday, 28 September, it was the second time since 2010 that the family lost their shack and belongings to a fire at the same place.
The family are appealing for a new place as they suspect another incident could cost them their lives.
Juliat Ngoepe (42) from Jeffsville in Ward 72, Atteridgeville, Tshwane, said they didn’t know what was causing the fires.
She said they suspect there’s a jealous person behind the mysterious fires.
“In both incidents we lost everything. Even the new clothes I bought for the children on account are all burnt, leaving me in debt,” she said.
Juliat said the family needs any type of help or donations of food, clothes and mostly school uniforms for her two kids. They also need zinc to build a new shack.
“I am struggling to cope as I work because I’m a domestic worker,” she said.
“We also suspect vutha is behind the fires. We don’t have peace. We are losing a lot.”
The family said they need a better place where they can have a home and start a new life.
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“We lost our R400 for the groceries and other important documents. I’m losing weight because of stress,” she said.
She said the family is now squatting at Itireleng in Ladium with her brother.
“We are also having nightmares, and we are struggling to sleep. The children are still traumatised,” she said.
She said her son lost a new cellphone which she bought on account.
Neighbour Busisiwe Magagula (33) said they couldn’t save anything because the fire was too strong.
“It is so sad to see a family losing everything,” she said.
She said that they had to stop the boy from going inside to save his new cellphone.
Traditional healer Kuppe Banda said: “This is vutha and they are lucky that no one is hurt.”
Tshwane Emergency Services spokesman deputy chief Charles Mabaso said: “Not reporting incidents may lead to the cause of the fire not being investigated.”
He said emergency services also conduct fire cause determination for co-ordination of social relief.
The Tshwane Emergency Services Department’s number is 107 and is toll free.
