While their neighbours were enjoying the festive season with their loved ones, the situation was totally different for the Raliavhegwa family of Mauluma village in the Tshifhawe area.

On Wednesday, December 19, at about 15:00, a mysterious fire destroyed their eight-roomed house and left the family in a miserable situation.

According to Mrs Johanna Raliavhegwa, she was relaxing on the veranda with two of her six children, Maureen and Lufuno, when the mysterious fire started in the main bedroom. She stated that it was Maureen who noticed some dark smoke coming from the corridor.

They all went closer to check what was happening, but all they could see was that the fire had originated in the main bedroom. They were unable to do anything as the whole house was in smoke in no time. Although they screamed at the neighbours for help, the whole house was already in flames when they arrived.

Looking frustrated and confused, Raliavhegwa said that they had only the clothes they were wearing at the time of the incident. The matter was reported to the police and the local municipality (Makhado) the very same day. The municipality was quick to respond to the report and they were provided with a tent, groceries and blankets the following day.

She revealed that life turned bitter for her when her husband, Mr Phineas Raliavhegwa, succumbed to a long illness in 2004. At that stage, her mentally handicapped twins, Shepherd and Sheila, were only two years old. She  used R2 500 of the R3 000 they received from the local community members to buy school uniforms for the children. According to her, the family is surviving on the child support grant for her three children and two grandchildren. The whole family of nine sleeps in a one-room shack which was used as a kitchen before the fire.

Raliavhegwa said that the tent was useless during rainy days, due to leakage. People who wish to lend a helping hand to the stranded family can contact Mrs Raliavhegwa on 0765788225.