City reaches out to family after fire

THE City and the provincial Social Development Department say they will assist a grieving Khayelitsha family after their three children were killed during a fire at their Zwelitsha home at the weekend.

The children’s unemployed grandmother, Nyameka Tywala, 53, survived with burn wounds on her back, face and hands.

She was rescued by neighbours, who were woken by screams.

The children – Linamandla Tywala, 14, Sinothando Tywala, 11 and Someleze Tywala, 7 – were sleeping when the fire broke out.

Neighbours said they realised when the firefighters were clearing debris that the three children were trapped in the house.

A family friend, Nobuntu Gwangqa, said the grandmother was destitute and relied on vegetables she sold to the neighbourhood for survival, and would not be able to afford the burial costs.

“What happened is very sad. The grandmother was not working and how the children will be buried remains unknown. Any help of whatever kind would make a huge difference,” said Gwangqa.

She said the community collected donations to help rebuild her home.

Mayor Patricia de Lille’s spokesperson Xolani Koyana said De Lille “can disburse a donation towards the funerals of children up to the age of 18 from families who are in need”.

This is part of the Mayor’s Special Fund for burial assistance.

The City could activate up to R5 000, said Koyana.

He said the donations “can only be made to funerals which take place within the municipal boundaries”.

Sihle Ngobese, spokesperson for MEC of Social Development Albert Fritz, said social workers in Khayelitsha would be activated to tend to the plight of the family to benefit from the department’s social relief.

Anyone wishing to contribute can contact the neighbour, Nobuntu Gwangqa, on 078 575 3457.