Family left destitute after devastating house fire
GA-PHASHA
The Makgareetse family, a destitute family of nine in Ward 32, Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM), is struggling to cope after their house caught fire on 28 June 2025. The mysterious fire destroyed 11 rooms, leaving the family with nothing but the clothes they were wearing.
The house fire has left the family in dire straits, with nowhere to call home and no support in sight.
The family lost everything in the blaze, including vital documents, clothing, and furniture. Despite reaching out to the FTLM for assistance, they claim they were met with empty promises and neglect.
Fortunately, neighbours managed to save the garage from the blaze, which is now serving as a makeshift home for the family.
According to Phonia Phasha, a family member and community leader, the only aid the family received from the municipality officials was 10 blankets, 25kg of maize meal, 2 cabbages, and soup.
However, this assistance has been insufficient to meet their needs. “We are struggling to cope, having lost everything except for a single bed kindly provided by neighbours,” Phasha said.
What’s even more concerning is that the municipality reportedly committed to providing further assistance but has failed to follow through.
“The municipality committed to come back soon and provide proper assistance, however, it has been over two months, and they never came. The government only remembers us when they want our votes,” Phasha said.
The family is also particularly disappointed with the non-response of FTLM Ward 32 Councillor, Matime Phasha, who reportedly didn’t bother to visit them days after the incident.
Despite being informed about the unfortunate incident, the family said the councillor could not do anything to help them.
“The councillor didn’t bother to come until today,” Phasha said.
She said it is devastating that her family’s plight is being neglected, adding that there should be a need for more effective disaster response and support systems in the municipality.
“It is bad that we struggle to rebuild our lives without any support from relevant authorities, it is clear that we need to do more so that our issues could be addressed by the municipality to provide meaningful assistance,” she said.
When contacted for a response, FTLM Communication department failed to respond to enquiries sent by the publication.
