Fire in the Khayelitsha shacks sadly claimed the lives of two innocent people last weekend.
It was reported that the woman was allegedly trying to set her boyfriend’s shack alight. The incident happened along Japhta Masemola Road in Makhaza, Khayelitsha on Sunday, 27 October.
According to residents, the couple had a disagreement and the boyfriend informed her he wanted to move to a new place as he got a new job.
The woman allegedly suspected the boyfriend had a new girlfriend and wanted a way to leave her. Residents said a fight ensued and the woman attempted to set the boyfriend on fire, but he killed the fire and decided to sleep.
The girlfriend allegedly went to a nearby tavern where she drank, came back and allegedly set the shack alight for the second time. The boyfriend managed to escape but this time, the fire spread to other shacks, killing two men in two different shacks.
Speaking to Daily Sun, community leader Xolelwa Mjekula said they woke up to a terrible situation where two people died following the fire.
“We were called to the scene and discovered that two men had died in a shack fire that was allegedly caused by a jealous lover,” said Mjekula.
A neighbour of the dead man, Vuyokazi Kota (34) said she was lucky to wake up before the fire reached her shack. She said when she woke up, the boyfriend who the woman was trying to burn, was still at the scene and was traumatised.
“He had burn wounds and his mother took him away. The mother was also traumatised and was heartbroken that two people had died,” said Vuyokazi.
The family of the deceased were not yet at the scene when Daily Sun got there. But the woman was still in the area and was even slapped by some residents, but she was quickly taken away for safety.
Cops spokesman, Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed the incident.
“Khayelitsha police registered an inquest for investigation after a fire broke out in LR Block, Jaftha K Masemola, Street, Khayelitsha on Sunday morning. Police members attended to the scene where two bodies were found burnt beyond recognition.
“The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and the circumstances are under investigation. Anyone with any information about this incident can contact CrimeStop on 08600 10111,” said Twigg.
Fire and Rescue spokesman Jermaine Carelse said crews from Lansdowne and Khayelitsha extinguished the blaze.
