KEETMANSHOOP -Thirty reed houses burnt down to ashes last weekend at Farm Komsberg in the Ariamsvlei district.

Karasburg East constituency councillor Anseline Beukes said it is alleged that a bypasser unintentionally dropped a cigarette bud at an unoccupied shack where the fire started. 

“Apart from furniture, clothing and food, national documents like IDs, birth certificates and voter cards were destroyed during the fire,” said Beukes when interviewed by New Era. 

She said no injuries or fatalities were recorded during the incident, while no foul play is suspected at this stage since investigations continue to determine the cause of the inferno. 

“My office has earlier this week distributed drought relief
food in consultation with the Office of the Prime Minister to the affected family members. We will also work around handing over matrasses to them,” she mentioned. 

In terms of national documents, Beukes will approach the home affairs ministry to intervene expeditiously.  

Approached for comment, one of the victims, Wilma (29) said she lost everything inside her shack during the fire. 

“I came to Komsberg in search
of employment, but I now only have the clothes I am wearing, and no
food or beddings,” she lamented. 

Wilma then called on authorities and good Samaritans to come to their rescue. 

-sklukowski@nepc.com.na