“It is painful to lose six people on a road but I have to take it.”
They mourned the loss of Peter Phaahla, four grandchildren with their father-in-law and four grandchildren, on Monday morning in a bowl of early KWA-theme in Marika.
After the inhalation of the land and smoke, a 7-year-old girl who struggled to his life in the hospital will be forced to reconcile with heartbreaking reality to lose its whole family.
This is not only a personal tragedy. It is a weak example of system failure – a poor infrastructure, insufficient ambulance and deep-rooted inequality that continues unofficial settlements of the plug sa.
Marikana Blaze brings the number of deaths related to fire in Johannesburg in just a week. The first true cold snap of the season. Fires in Mayfair, Sandton and Boxburg died, and thank you, only one person was injured in Alexandra Blaze.
Most of these fires are caused by the same reason: people trying to be hot during winter, hot devices, open flames, gas heaters and paraffin ovens using dangerous methods.
According to emergency services, Kwathema fire started around 3 hours as the fire lies. Neighbors are in a hurry to help. One, Klaas Mabhena, saved the young girl. However, low water pressure and muddy, paved roads are not possible with further rescue efforts. “I felt that I failed them,” said Mabhena.
Why does this happen still in 2025?
Why do communities like MARIKANA still fight for key services such as water pressure, emergency entrance and official housing? Authorities will provide safe, well-ventilated houses to explain that the water pressure is so low and will provide safe, well-ventilated houses to access the main services.
However, future relief promises are less comfortable for those who have disappeared in a flame to those who follow six lives.
This fire is not an isolated event – it is part of a deadly example of each winter. Many families to use open flames to many families to many families, gas heaters, candles and paraffin stoves to stay warm. But in crowded, weakly established fragile, a small spark is all that is necessary for the tragedy.
The government must follow the official apartment and improve the immediate response infrastructure. In the meantime, residents should take steps to reduce fire risk
In addition to ensuring that open flames are not considered, checking electrical wires for mistakes, keeping items such as paraffin and gas, as well as ensuring that the family is recognized and applied.
We cannot allow this tragedy without reflection or worse, without resignation. We need to demand a faster delivery of official housing and improved emergency services. Every life is important and every family deserves the dignity of security.
