MUD HOUSE COLLAPSES, KILLS WOMAN, INFANT

NHLANGANO – A devastating incident unfolded in Mbilaneni on Wednesday morning when a mud house collapsed, tragically claiming the lives of a 35-year-old woman and her one-year-old child. Hloniphile Simelane and her toddler were among six people sleeping in the two-room dwelling, when the structure collapsed. Three others escaped unharmed. The heavy rains preceding the incident are suspected to have saturated the mud walls, weakening the structure. The weight of the rainwater-soaked corrugated iron roof likely contributed to the collapse.

Significantly

It is believed that the relentless downpour saturated the mud walls of the house, significantly increasing their weight. Weakened and overburdened, the structure could no longer withstand the pressure, crumbling inwards. To add to this horrifying scene, the corrugated iron roof, heavy with rainwater, caved in, raining down on the unsuspecting occupants. On Tuesday afternoon, heavy rains lashed the region, continuing unabated throughout the night. This persistent rainfall is suspected to have significantly contributed to the collapse of the mud house.
According to reports, the house was a two-room structure, and only one room collapsed, leaving the other room intact. Hloniphile, the deceased woman, was reportedly employed at F.T.M. Garments, a factory in Nhlangano.

The Bucopho of the area, Mfundvo Sikhosana, told this publication that the situation is dire, with family members heartbroken and struggling to speak. “However, we were informed that there were no prior indications of the house’s instability. It appeared sturdy, and no one suspected it would collapse. When they retired for the night, they never imagined such a tragedy would occur,” he said. According to Sikhosana the collapse also buried clothing, bedding, and other personal belongings beneath the rubble, adding another layer of devastation to the already tragic scene. He further said the family consists of 15 members. The house that collapsed was occupied by five individuals, including the deceased mother and toddler.
He further said another mother, who was sleeping in the house, was fortunate to escape unharmed. She heard the house shaking and quickly grabbed her one-year six-month-old toddler, fleeing the structure before it collapsed. Remarkably, a Grade V female pupil was also extracted from the rubble and survived the ordeal.” Sikhosana further alleged that emergency services were contacted by dialing 977 and the injured individuals were subsequently transported to Nhlangano Health Centre.

Painful

According to Sikhosana, it was a painful experience for the Dlamini family and the community as a whole. The Deputy Prime Minister, Thuli Dladla, has since introduced a strategy for those living in stick and mud houses to build new homes. However, this family was not part of the program because they believed their house was in good condition and did not pose an immediate risk of collapse. Considering that there is only one brick house (built with the help of SOS), they fear that even the other stuck-and-mud houses will follow. He further requested for financial help to assist the affected family. The incident was confirmed by the Deputy Chief Police Information and Communication’s Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni.

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