Load shedding ruins man's life

MQOBI Dlamini is left with only the clothes he's wearing. 

This is after his home in K section, KwaMashu in Durban burnt down.  

Mqobi blames load shedding for losing his home and everything he had worked for. 

He said he wasn't home when the fire broke out and his tenant was alone.

"My tenant rents a room in the house. She told me that when electricity came back on around 10pm, the main switch burst. She said as she was still shocked after the loud burst. She said she saw smoke and then realised that there was fire. She then ran out of the house," he said.

Mqobi said he was at his girlfriend's house, which is also in the same area, when the incident happened on Thursday night, 22 February. And since then, he's been struggling to pick up the pieces. 

"I received a call informing me about the fire. I ran back home and arrived to huge flames that had engulfed the house," he said. 

Mqobi said what made things even worse was that they couldn't put out the fire because there was no water. 

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The now-homeless Mqobi said load shedding ruined his life. He doesn't know if he will ever recover from what befell him.

The remains after the house burnt down. Photo by Mbali Dlungwana

"It's been a long night and I haven't slept until now. I'll go to my relatives and sleep there," he said. 

He said he's still in shock, confused and doesn't know what will happen moving forward. 

"I'd appreciate it if I get help in the form of a house." 

Councillor Nhlanhla Sibiya said he became aware of Mqobi's case when he was called to the scene. 

"I'll contact the disaster management department to assist Mqobii with food and blankets. I'll also see how he can be assisted further," he said. 

Eskom’s media desk said Eskom is not aware of the matter and would require further information from the customer in order to investigate the incident and take appropriate action as per their normal claim process.

"We can only provide comment once we've received this information. We would appreciate it if the customer contacts Eskom at 0860037566 or provide a reference number if a claim has been lodged," they said.