Couple returns to find home razed to the ground

A FAMILY in Nkayi, Matabeleland North, is appealing for help after a fire razed a bedroom hut, burning all their property.

Mr Gideon Moyo and his wife Ms Alice Sibanda arrived at their homestead in Sigodini Village under Chief Tshugulu on Saturday to find their bedroom reduced to rubble.

There was no one at home when the fire broke out and it is not known what caused it.

Nothing was salvaged from the hut as property including a wardrobe, bed, blankets, clothes, and a generator was destroyed.

Documents such as birth certificates and IDs were also burnt.

Nkayi South MP Cde Stars Mathe visited the family on Monday where she donated some groceries and blankets.

She appealed to well-wishers to help the family.

Mr Moyo stays with his wife and about 20 children and grandchildren at the homestead.

While the other huts were not burnt, the elderly couple has been left with nothing.

“We tried to get a few blankets and foodstuffs to give them since it’s an emergency but you would realise that it’s not enough considering the way they desperately need help. We wish we could get some help for them especially clothes and blankets because this is what they need urgently,” said Cde Mathe.

Chronicle was told that all grandchildren lost all their clothes and blankets which were being kept in their grandparents’ bedroom.

They remained with the clothes they were wearing on the day of the fire.

Sigodini Village head Mr Mongameli Dlamini said the community was trying to assist the family.

“They were not at home when it happened around 2PM and everyone is shocked because no one knows what started the fire. Our worry is that we are in the middle of winter and for them to be without clothes and blankets is unhealthy. This might also expose them to Covid-19 conditions as we all need to be warm to reduce chances of contracting the virus. We would like to thank the MP for bringing some blankets and we wish we could get more,” said Mr Dlamini.

He said the affected family was struggling to come to terms with its loss.

Well-wishers can contact Mr Dlamini on 0776718191.—@ncubeleon