NZHELELE - An unemployed woman and her two kids were left homeless when their only makeshift, one-roomed structure mysteriously caught fire on Saturday. The fire destroyed everything and the family was only left with the clothes they were wearing when the mysterious fire broke out.

Ms Dorah Netshivhambe (33) of Nzhelele-Tshithuthuni, outside Thohoyandou, and her kids Rendani (15) and Ndamulelo (9) are squatting with relatives, because they no longer have a place to lay down their heads.

Dorah survives by doing piece jobs in the fields and selling fire wood. The family depends on Ndamulelo’s monthly R180 child support grant from the state. It is also sad to note that the children’s school books, uniforms and warm clothes were destroyed by the fire. Both kids are attending school at the local Tshithuthuni Primary School.

Still reeling with shock, Dorah explained what happened on that fateful Saturday afternoon: “I was sitting outside my house when the mysterious fire broke. It all happened so fast that the structure was in flames in a few seconds. I cannot even explain what caused the fire because I do not have electricity or paraffin stove; instead, I use fire wood to prepare food outside. I believe these are the works of the devil and witches who do not want me and my children to live in peace. This fire from nowhere has caused a great damage for my family because I lost everything I owned, including my ID, my children’ school books, my only bag of maize meal, wardrobe and bed.”

A single parent, Dorah recalled how she tried to save her property in vain. “The fire was so powerful that I was also unable to get into the room. I tried to enter but I immediately went back before I could even set a foot in the door. I had to watch my hard-earned property going down in flames because there was nothing I could do. Even neighbours watched helplessly because the fire was too strong to be tampered with.”

Before the fire incident, Dorah said she had applied for an RDP house to the local authorities four times, without success. “It has never been an easy task for me to acquire an RDP house because every time I am told that I am on the waiting list. Right now, I have nowhere to stay and I don’t know where to turn to. My children do not even have food to eat and I don’t know where they will get their next meal. I humbly request community members to assist me in this time of need because the precious gift of life has turned out to be a harsh and unbearable burden to me and my kids.”

Supt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi of Vhembe SAPS said the police have no records of Dorah’s fire incident and he advised her to report the matter as soon as possible.

“We sympathize with her in her loss, but we advise her to report the case to the police so that we can start with investigations. This is a very serious case, especially if it is true that the fire started mysteriously from nowhere.”

Community members who would like to assist the destitute family can call 072 351 0164 or 082 933 6101.