Candle Sparks Villa Liza Fire That Kills Four Children During Load-Shedding
SOUTH AFRICA – Four children who died in a shack fire during load-shedding on June 27 are being mourned this week, as the Villa Liza community unites in grief and support for the devastated families.
The fire broke out during a scheduled electricity outage, when two families—the Mthabela and Shabalala households were away from their homes to buy food.
A candle, believed to have been left burning to provide light in the absence of power, is suspected to have caused the blaze.
With the area in darkness and no access to water, the flames quickly consumed the two adjoining shacks before emergency help could be summoned.
The young victims have been identified as Anele Shabalala (14), her sister Liyakha (5), and cousins Nkazimulo and Mfanelo Shabalala, both aged four.
The latter two had travelled from KwaZulu-Natal to visit family for the school holidays. All four perished in the fire, leaving the families shattered.
Speaking to the media, family member Nomfundo Shabalala described the chaos and despair of that night. “My mother and I weren’t home. My father had gone out to buy food, and my 16-year-old sister had just stepped out to look for him because the little ones were hungry.
“That’s when the call came through. When we got there, both shacks were already engulfed in flames. We believe it started with a candle. There was no water to put it out—nothing we could do.”
She added that no one from the neighbouring Mthabela household had been home at the time either. The tragedy has left both families overwhelmed with sorrow, burdened by a sense of guilt over circumstances they say were beyond their control.
“We blame ourselves. What if someone had stayed behind? What if we had checked earlier? These questions don’t stop. My father hasn’t been the same—he keeps reliving what he saw when he got back. My older sister, who had only left briefly to find him, is tormented by the thought that she may have been able to save them if she had stayed,” Nomfundo said through tears.
According to KathorusMail, community members have described the fire as one of the worst incidents Villa Liza has seen in recent memory. Shockwaves have rippled through the area, with neighbours rallying around the families in a show of solidarity.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, support structures have quickly mobilised to provide aid. The Dawn Park Community Policing Forum (CPF), working alongside several non-governmental organisations (NGOs), has stepped in to coordinate both emotional and material support.
“We’ve arranged trauma counselling, and our volunteers are providing emergency relief—food parcels, clothing, and even school uniforms for surviving children.
“Plans are in motion to help rebuild the shacks and restore some sense of normalcy. These families have suffered an unspeakable loss, and they shouldn’t have to face it alone,” said CPF chairperson Bianca Zambetti.
Funeral arrangements are under way, but the psychological scars from the fire remain raw. The families say no amount of assistance will ever replace what they lost, but they are comforted by the community’s efforts to stand with them through their grief.
Those who wish to assist with donations or support can contact the families directly via 071 166 6574.
