Tsakani – A family’s worst nightmare became a reality during a prayer session on March 24. Zandile Khoza had been experiencing psychotic episodes, so her family turned to an umthandazeli (praying healer) for help.
“We located an umthandazeli that day, and she came to our home. It was after 16:00. We were in the living room praying. As soon as she said ‘amen’, a flame appeared in the middle of the room,” she explained.
Seven people were in the house at the time of the fire, including the healer’s husband, and all but one escaped without any injuries.
According to Khoza, they had not lit any candles and had no appliances next to them.
“The fire quickly engulfed the room, and we started screaming. Fortunately, youngsters were playing in front of our house,” she added.
The rafters are barely holding the roof up.
Khoza was able to break a window and hand her child to someone outside the burning house.
“We eventually escaped through the windows with the help of our neighbours,” she said.
The healer suffered more burns than the others in the house and is still in hospital receiving treatment. The family lost most of their furniture and appliances. Even the rafters were burnt, and there are fears the roof could collapse.
Khoza’s mom, Ncanyana Dludlu, said the physical scars they bear will heal, but they will be traumatised forever.
“Every time I walk into the house, I relive what happened. I can’t even explain it to other people. I am scared to go into my own house,” she said.
The family is grateful to those who have helped with donations thus far. The house still stands with charred walls and broken windows.
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The family lost all of their furniture in the fire
The house still stands with charred walls and broken windows.
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