A Devastating Fire has Taken Two Young Lives in the Mountain View Occupation

09 June 2025
Abahlali baseMjondolo press statement

A Devastating Fire has Taken Two Young Lives in the Mountain View Occupation

One of the many cruel consequences of the organised abandonment of the poor in our country is the regular shack fires that devastate families and communities. People often lose all their possessions, including IDs, SASSA cards, school books, clothes – including school and work uniforms – family photographs and more. Many people have suffered terrible burns. Many people have been robbed of their lives.

Winter is a very difficult time for the poor who are homeless and those who live in shack settlements. While we try to keep warm by using izimbawula (braziers) or stoves to keep warm, the risk of these fires escalates. When the fires come the politicians always rush to blame them on drunkenness or ‘illegal electricity connections’ without bothering to find out the real causes. They never act to provide the forms of infrastructure and support that can reduce the risk of fire. We are left to burn.

Just after midnight on Sunday morning two children, Eyethu Mpanza and Thabiso Mpanza, who were 8 and 6 years old respectively, lost their lives in a shack fire in the Mountain View Occupation, Braamfisher, Soweto. One-year-old Ayabonga and their father, Phethangani Langa, are still in hospital fighting for their lives. The mother is completely traumatised.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Being poor in this country is a crime for which you can pay with your life. There are many ways to pay for being poor with your life. You can burn, starve, get washed away in a flood, be shot by the police or land invasion unit and more.

The government simply does not care about the poor. Land, housing and services are not provided. Instead of bringing what we need for a safe and dignified life, the government brings men with guns to evict us.

We are left to die in floods and fires. We are often blamed for our suffering and poverty. We are told that we are lazy, drunk, stupid and criminal. Our humanity is vandalised day after day and year after year. The situation is desperate.

We cannot carry on like this.

Thapelo Mohapi – 084 576 5117
Zanele Ngobese – 073 946 2231
Lesley Modikwa – 076 172 9182