Noluthando Katametsi (32) from Emndeni, Soweto, is shaken that it's been a couple of days since she came back from ukuthwasa (initiation) and now she has been met with the tragedy of her grandmother, who burnt to death. Three other family members are in hospital and sustained severe burn wounds due to a raging fire. Noluthando said she had hoped to spend time with her family since she was gone for months but all that now is in vain.

WE DON'T UNDERSTAND 

Noluthando said this was not the first fire incident that the family had to deal with. She explained that three weeks ago the family dealt with the same incident but only one room was damaged. "On Monday night, the fire started before midnight, but it was quickly extinguished with the help of neighbours. Just as we thought things were okay another fire broke out at 3am and that's when everything was damaged. Nobody could contain it, no amount of water could quickly stop that blaze from ruining everything in the house," she said. She said in the house, it was her uncle, cousin and two grannies unfortunately now one is deceased. " My Granny Isabel Dlamini, who was 69 is the one who died and my other gran Sibongile Dlamini (62) survived but she's critical in hospital. My cousin Sibusiso Zondo (31) and Kenny Dlamini (47) who are all in ICU."

COMMUNITY TO THE RESCUE

The area's ward councillor Thapelo Radebe said the disaster management team will visit the area to further access the damage caused by the blaze. Thapelo said the community tried their best to assist the family, however, the old lady was declared dead and the other three were rushed to the hospital for medical attention. "We need assistance from community members to restore the family's dignity. We would like to request assistance with things like paint, windows, doors and building material. We also need clothes and bed sponges as we prepare for the funeral," said Thapelo adding that, they are grateful for the community who was alert during loadshedding and assisted the family, to the point of risking their lives by braving the blaze to rescue the people in the house.