MAKONDE – Nditsheni Tshifura (24) and her boyfriend, Mpho Singo (25) of Makonde Village narrowly escaped death when the hut they were sleeping in was allegedly set alight by unknown people last week Tuesday. The incident has left the unemployed Nditsheni poorer as the fire destroyed all her possessions.

“I don’t know what wrong have I done to deserve all this. All my possesions, which include clothes, food and a bed, were burnt to ashes. I also had R350 in cash which was burnt and I don’t know where I’m going to get my next meal,” said Nditsheni, who depends on her grandmother’ social grant for survival.

There were only Nditsheni’s hut and a one-roomed house at the Tshifura family’s stand before the incident.

“My elder sister, Azwitamisi, shares the other one-roomed house with her boyfriend and it will take a long time for me to fix the hut, as I am unemployed. I think if there are some people who have a problem with me, it is better for them to come to me and solve the problem peacefully…”

Nditsheni said the horrible incident took place at about 22:00. She explained: “We were deeply asleep when we were woken up by the fire in the roof of the hut. I woke my boyfriend up and we quickly unlocked the door. Although we could not save anything from the hut, we are happy because we managed to escape without injuries. It seemed as if the person who set the fire on the hut did not go away as big stones were also thrown at us as we went out of the hut. I do not have anything to eat as all my food, blankets and clothes were burnt to ashes. I will greatly appreciate it if I get any kind of assistance from the community, as I am unemployed. I really want to repair my hut but it seems as if it will be very difficult as I do not have any source of income.”

Nditsheni’s unemployed boyfriend, Mpho, expressed his gratitude to God for saving his life. “I’m happy to be alive although I’m highly disturbed by the incident. I think these are jealous people who believe in primitive ways of solving problems. I believe they will never escape the long arm of the law as they will never escape without being punished.”

Although a case of arson was registered at Thohoyandou SAPS, no arrest had been made at the time of going to press.

Community members who would like to assist can call 072 351 0164 or visit Nditsheni at Makonde village, Tshithuthuni on the western side of the Rantsana Divine Life Church.