A night of joy and celebration turned into a nightmare for a couple from Vlei in Philippi, Cape Town, lost their lives in a horrific shack fire in the early hours of Sunday, 12 January 2025.
The pair spent Saturday enjoying themselves—eating, drinking, smoking, and listening to music. But that day of carefree fun would be their last. By midnight, tragedy struck.
In the middle of the night, residents noticed flames erupting from the couple’s home. Alarmed by the blaze, they rushed to help. Some tried to kick down the door in a desperate bid to save the couple, but their efforts came too late.
Speaking to Ezitshisayo, local resident Melikhaya Mkhangeli described the chaotic scene: “We heard them screaming for help, and we tried to save them, but the fire was too strong.
“People were panicking, some were trying to save their belongings, while others focused on rescuing the couple. We did everything we could, but sadly, it didn’t work. It’s heartbreaking to know they died such a painful death.”
After firefighters managed to extinguish the flames, the couple’s bodies were discovered in the charred remains of the house. According to residents, the fire may have been started by a cigarette stub.
“The woman was a smoker, but her boyfriend wasn’t,” one resident explained. “They were renting the house where the fire happened.”
“Samora Machel police were on patrol when they responded to a complaint from the Sweet Home Farm informal settlement at around 03:15. Upon arrival, they found two unidentified bodies. Medical personnel declared both victims deceased at the scene. A postmortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death,” Swartbooi said.
Police have opened an inquest and are appealing to anyone with information to come forward by contacting Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or by using the MySAPS app to submit tips anonymously.