The Marilele family of Valdezia in the Waterval area was left stranded last Sunday after four houses of the family were burnt to ashes by a mysterious fire.

According to a report, the fire started in one of the mud-brick rondavels, which left the 13 family members stranded. According to the head of the affected family, Mr George Marilele, he was shocked when he received a call that his home had been destroyed by fire. “I was at church at about 15:00 when I received a call that all my houses had burnt down,” he indicated sadly.

The unemployed Marilele added that all his belongings were burnt inside the four houses, including his identity document, clothes, blankets and food; one of the houses was used a kitchen. “We have nothing left. What have I done to deserve this cruel thing? The little food I had for my family was also destroyed by the fire. I really do not know what to do,” he said.

Marilele is pleading with anyone who can assist him in this regard.

“When the fire started, we were seated at home. We heard somebody screaming for help and when we went to investigate, we found that the house was burning. The 16-year-old Regina Marilele, who was taking a bath at the time when the fire started, was trapped inside one of the houses. By then the fire was very fierce, but we managed to rescue her,” the neighbours said.

They added that they were also shocked because they did not see anyone whom they can suspect of starting the fire. According to the report, the cause of the fire is not known. The children, according to Marilele, were stranded on Monday when they were supposed to go to school, as their uniforms were also burned inside the houses.

According to Cllr Sipho Manganyi of Ward 15 of the Makhado Municipality, he was busy engaging the community members to see if they could assist the family with whatever they have. “I have requested community members to donate useful material and food to the affected family,” he said.