ABOMAKHI allegedly folded their arms and watched as three shacks went up in flames in Freedom Park, Soweto on Monday afternoon, 29 January.
It is said they just stood there and did nothing to help a family of nine when their three shacks went up in flames, resulting in the family losing everything in the fire.
The Thwala family told Daily Sun the fire left them distraught.
Xolani said he had just boarded a taxi to town when he received a call from his sister that the shack was on fire.
“I had left her home with her one-year-old son. She told me she saw a spark come from the back of the fridge and she rushed out to seek for help, but when she came back, the shack was already on fire," he said.
He said the very same thing happened to them in 2023 when one of their shacks burnt to ashes. However, they were fortunate to save the remaining two.
With a heavy heart, he said the community allegedly just watched the family try to put out the fire. It was like a movie.
"A few people came from nowhere and helped us put out the fire. We used buckets of water. Unfortunately, all three shacks were burnt to ashes. We only managed to save a few blankets and baby clothes,” said Xolani.
The family now has no place to sleep and are forced to sleep in other people’s houses.
Neighbour Sandile Dube offered the family his shack to use until they rebuild their structure, but that won’t accommodate nine of them.
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He said he was inside the house when he heard the explosion and when he went to investigate, he saw his makhis' shack up in flames.
“People just stood there. They didn’t help with anything. They were just watching. It left me wondering if people are really that heartless,” he said.
The family is looking for help to rebuild their home. They currently have no clothes, no food and have no stationery for pupils who are still in school.
Community leader Philani Khanyile said he was informed by the family about what happened and is waiting for the go-ahead from the councillor to see how best they can help the family.
