Eshowe Veld Fire Claims Life, Devastates 80 Homes in KZN

• One person died, and over 80 homes were damaged by a veld fire that engulfed parts of Eshowe in KwaZulu-Natal
• The blaze reportedly displaced about 53 people, damaged infrastructure, scorched the cane fields, and killed livestock
• The province’s Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs department was working on relief efforts for those displaced by the inferno

Zingisa Chirwa is an experienced Briefly News journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, who has covered current affairs on the radio for over 15 years.

Communities in the Umlalazi Municipality were left devastated after one person lost their life, and over 80 homes were damaged by a veld fire that ravaged Eshowe in KwaZulu-Natal.

Eshowe veld fire quelled

According to SABC News, the blaze that started on 7 July displaced 53 people, scorched the cane fields, killed livestock and damaged infrastructure. It was only contained on 9 July 2024.

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The province’s Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Senzelwe Mzila, told EWN that the department was working on relief efforts for the 53 people displaced by the inferno:

“Preliminary assessments indicate that we have about 50 partially damaged structures and over 40 that have been totally destroyed.”

KZN residents worried about veld fire prevalence

Many Facebook netizens were concerned about the multiple runaway fires across KZN over the past week.

Mechelle Kotze said:

“I don't know what Disaster management wants to prove because that's what they are. Disaster, they could not be bothered. I hope the people’s houses that burned are not relying on them; they [are] useless enough, said. But it's terribly sad that people lost houses to fires, etc.”

Honey Odendaal asked:

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“My question again…how does a fire start by itself if there is NO lightning?”

Debra Massey wondered:

“SO MANY fires today and tonight in KZN . What is going on ”

Michelle Morrison added:

“Too many fires at the same time...Uvongo, too, yesterday...Hope these aren't being deliberately set ”

Salvanus Nookiaud suggested:

“Arson Investigation should be done.”

Secunda blaze: 4 Cars engulfed in flames

Police in Mpumalanga investigated a fire that engulfed four cars next to a primary school in Secunda.

The local firefighters who were called to the scene managed to quell the and prevent it from damaging more infrastructure.

It was unclear what led to the blaze; however, the SAPS opened a case of malicious property damage.

Source: Briefly News