By: Mhleli Mkhize

Metals from burnt sofas were what was left from the flame that left a family homeless.

Smangele Shezi (36) from Dassenhoek said that she had been preparing for their bedtime when she smelt smoke from the house.

“We were just concluding our afternoon prayer and went to sleep around 21h00 when I could smell smoke from the other room,” explained Shezi.

She is a single parent who stays with her two children Lwandokuhle (14) and Syamthanda (5).

Shezi works as a domestic worker in Kloof and said that she has raised her children through working from house to house.

Celina Ettmeyer, Shezi’s boss, said that she is deeply saddened and confused on how such a tragedy could happen.

Shezi added that she does not think this was an accident, but sees it as the work of someone from the area.

“I don’t even think telling the police or the councilor will assist me anyhow. They never discovered the people who killed my fiancé. I really don’t think this will be any different,”
said Shezi.

Constable Thulani Khumalo, who also stays around the area, said that the police are aware of the incident and that no arrests made as there has to be investigations made as to what was the
cause of this.

Shezi currently stays at her manager’s place in Kloof until she can get assistance from relatives.