Delft, Cape Town – Fire victims in Leiden, Delft, were woken up to the agonizing screams of a 31-year-old father who burned to death when a fire swept through their shacks during the early hours of Monday morning.
The blaze tore through five shacks on Usuthu Street at around 2am on Monday, 16 March 2026, leaving nine people and three children displaced and a community in mourning.
Sadly, 31-year-old father of one, Athenkosi Mdlokolo, perished in the devastating fire.
His sister, Yola Mdlokolo, recounted the horrific scene to the Daily Voice: “We do not know what caused the fire; we were sleeping. We just heard the cries of my brother, who was screaming and banging for help. That was when we all stood up and saw the fire.”
She added, “He has one son who is currently in the Eastern Cape. My brother lived in a two-room hokkie, but he was alone at the time of the fire. It is sad. We have children who can’t attend school because they lost all their uniforms and books in the fire.”
Another victim reported that he was working the night shift and returned home to find all his belongings reduced to ashes.
The man lamented: “All of us have been left with the clothes on our backs. One man was lucky to escape with his underpants, and another with his work overalls. We all now have to sleep in one shack. The shack is a bit small, but we don’t have anywhere else to go.”
City’s Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse confirmed the incident, stating: “Services received an emergency call on Monday, 16 March, at approximately 1.55am of structures alight in Usuthu Crescent, Leiden Delft. Sadly, one person died in the fire and was declared deceased by medical personnel. The scene was handed over to the South African Police Service, who will investigate the cause of this incident.”
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that the cause of the fire is yet to be determined and that an investigation is underway.
In the wake of this tragedy, the residents are appealing for urgent assistance with food, clothes, and blankets. The three children, aged 2, 7, and 14 years, are in desperate need of school supplies to resume their education. Anyone who can offer support is urged to contact 074 925 0032. The community is rallying together to provide what little comfort they can in the face of this devastating loss.
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