MYSTERY FIRE STRIKES FAMILY 22 TIMES
Home and tent burnt 22 times
A LIMPOPO family’s house has been struck by fire 22 times and even the tent they stayed in caught alight.
The fire initially started in March and now the Nkgogo family are living in the burnt remains of their home.
Nkateko Nkgogo, 36, an unemployed mother of five, of Oaks Village near Hoedspruit, said the fire was “evil ” and had destroyed all her belongings.
“It follows me around,” Nkgogo said.
The latest fire struck on June 24.
“I was at my sister’s home and my neighbours called to say my house was on fire,” Nkgogo said.
“The following day I was at home and I saw my blankets burning.”
The family believes that the fire was “evil ” because it even destroyed the clothes they were wearing.
Nkgogo ’ s daughter Pretty, 14, said she caught fire while she was chatting to family members in a tent that the Maruleng municipality had provided them.
“The fire strikes our house and belongings between five and seven, either in the morning or in the evening,” Nkgogo claimed.
“This continued for three weeks in March until the local residents came to pray.
“My kids are now living with friends because they are afraid that they will die in the fire,” Nkgogo added.
Her neighbour, Norah Monareng, said at first they thought the fire was caused by an electrical fault “until we saw that it was the fire from nowhere”.
Nkgogo said the municipality had promised to help them
“They said I would be the first to get an RDP house when the project starts in the village, but some homes are already completed.
“The tent they gave us also burnt. They promised food parcels, clothing and stationery for my kids almost four months ago, and not even one promise was kept,” Nkgogo said.
Ward councillor Malapane Makwa did not want to comment.
“Sorry, I reserve my comment on the matter, ” he said.
Municipal spokesman John Seokoma promised that they would visit the family next week and would take food parcels and school uniforms.
He also promised to contact the people in charge.
“We gave the family a tent because it was not safe for them to sleep in that house. Unfortunately, it burnt too.
“Yes, we did promise the family an RDP house and we have sent their forms as an emergency.
“They will be the first to get a house. The houses they see being built in their village is part of a previous project,” Seokoma said.
He added that a new team was assigned to finish the RDP homes after the previous contractor was disqualified.
“We cannot give the exact date when the new project will commence.
“I hope the family can get help from your readers and through prayers because the fire started from nowhere,” he said.