Shack fire claims life of a disabled minor, 6, in Kraaifontein

A family in Wallacedene, Kraaifontein, is struggling to come to terms with the loss of their disabled six-year-old daughter, Azingce Mhambi, who died in a shack fire on Tuesday morning, July 15.

Her father, Siyanda Mbaliswano, said he received a call from community members while he was at work, and he had to return home.

His young brother informed him when he was back at home that he went to the spaza shop while the paraffin stove was on, with the child inside the room, and then the shack was up in flames when he returned from the shop, the father said, adding that the incident was difficult for the family to deal with. 

The child was living with cerebral palsy, a movement disorder. 

Her father said Azingce was wheelchair-bound and was unable to speak because of her condition.

The City's Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, said they received emergency calls of informal structures alight in Maroela Road in Wallaceden around 10.15am, but firefighters managed to extinguish the fire shortly after noon.

He said 20 informal structures were destroyed, leaving 60 to 80 persons displaced.

Police spokesperson Anelisiwe Manyana confirmed that Kraaifontein police responded to the scene and found the body of a 6-year-old girl, “who burnt beyond recognition.”

Kraaifontein police opened an inquest docket for further investigation. 

“No one has been arrested, investigation continues,” Ms Manyana said.

A community leader, Linda Phito, pleaded with the national government to speed up the projects of building government-subsidised houses for vulnerable people from low-income households.

We appeal to anyone with information regarding this fire to please contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.