Tragedy strikes KZN as structural fires claim eight lives, including five minors

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has expressed deep sorrow following two separate structural fires that claimed eight lives this weekend in the Umdoni and KwaDukuza local municipalities.

FATALITIES IN UMDONI AND KWADUKUZA
In the Nongoloza area of Ward 5, Umdoni, two households were devastated by fire on Saturday morning. The Cibane family lost two members after their informal dwelling was destroyed, while the Dlamini family lost one member in a related incident. While investigations are ongoing, authorities suspect an unattended candle may have caused one of the blazes.

In a separate tragedy in Shakas Head, KwaDukuza, five minors lost their lives after an inferno engulfed a shack near Ballito.

PROVINCIAL RESPONSE
KZN COGTA spokesperson, Senzelwe Mzila, confirmed that the Provincial Disaster Management Centre has deployed teams to provide humanitarian, psychosocial, and material support to the grieving families. Law enforcement agencies have also opened inquests into both incidents to determine the exact causes of the fires.

“The MEC for COGTA, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has expressed condolences to all the affected families. The MEC will also be paying a special visit to the affected families to provide interim relief. The MEC will be supported by senior officials from the Provincial Disaster Management Centre,” said Mzila.