Heroic granny to the rescue

By Sifundiso Ndlovu

A heroic granny from Bulawayo’s Makokoba suburb yesterday suffered burns while rescuing three of her grandchildren who were trapped in a raging fire that engulfed their home.

Kandita Nzunga, 54, of Kusile Flats was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital after she sustained facial burns from braving flames that had trapped her three grandchildren – one aged four and two aged five years – in one of the bedrooms in the flat that she shares with another family.

Her grandchildren’s parents are in South Africa where they work.

“I was at a funeral next door when I heard shouts that our house was on fire. When we broke down the door there was smoke everywhere. The whole house was in flames and children were screaming inside the bedroom,” said Nzunga whose chin was swollen.

“In spite of the flames I rushed in and dragged the kids to safety with the help of our neighbours,” she said.

Nzunga was hospitalised, but later sneaked out of the health institution.

She told Chronicle that she was worried about her grandchildren as they had no one to look after them. For this reason, she decided to return home. She said almost all household goods worth about $5,000 were lost in the fire.

One of her neighbours, Thandiwe Mguni who helped put out the fire said she was relieved the three minors were safely rescued.

“I feared for the worst when I heard NaCythia shouting that her three grandchildren were inside the house. We are all happy the children are safe,” said Mguni.

She added that the blaze was put off by the fire brigade, but they failed to save property from the burning flat.

“We assisted by fetching water from the borehole while some tried to douse the fire but we could not put it out. The fire brigade came and put it out. By then a lot of property had already been lost to fire,” she said.

Bulawayo chief fire officer Richard Peterson confirmed that they attended to the fire.

“We received a fire call at 09:15AM and we were at the scene by 09:22AM. The fire was caused by the paraffin stove which we suspect was accidentally kicked over by one the children in the house,” said Peterson.

When a Chronicle news crew arrived at the house shocked residents were seen scrounging among the ashes and burnt remains for important documents.

Thembelani Ndlovu, who shares the flat with Nzunga, was searching for an examination entry document for her child who is supposed to sit for public examinations later this year.

She said her children’s birth certificates were all burnt in the fire.

Residents donated foodstuffs, clothing, $65 and R105 to the two families.

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association ward chairperson Raymond Gombedze said: “This is one of the reasons why we have been calling on the council to do away with shared ownership. Two families are now stranded,” he said.

He thanked residents for the prompt response and donating food and clothing items for the two families.

“Residents have so far managed to donate some food and clothing items for the two families. We however, call for more assistance from well wishers,” he said.

The chief fire officer warned residents to immediately report fires saying “fire destroys and kills.” Chronicle