Another tragic death at Malindza Refugee camp 12/12/2014 03:00:00 By Wonderboy Dlamini - Swazi Observer INSPECTION: Commissioner of Refugees in the ministry of home affairs Thandi Khumalo looking at the burnt tent at Malindza Refugee Camp, where a child was killed by a mysterious fire yesterday. Tent occupied by children set alight by unknown arsonists resulting in the death of a 12-year-old refugee whose death comes after that of a 5-year-old, who died in a similar incident DEJECTION and confusion engulfs Malindza Refugee camp as yet another child has been killed in another mysterious fire which broke out in the early hours of yesterday morning. A 12-year-old Congolese boy died while undergoing treatment at Good Shepherd Hospital after sustaineing serious burn wounds. A younger sister to the deceased, aged 10 years is also fighting for her life at the hospital as she sustained multiple burn wounds. This is the third shocking fire incident at the refugee camp within a space of a month. The first incident occurred on November 22, 2014 where a tent ccupied by a Rwandese family was reduced to ashes, resulting in the death of a five-year-old boy, while the second incident occurred on Tuesday night, where another tent was also burnt in a similar fashion. According to information gathered, all the fire incidents came as a result of an arson attack by unknown people who invade the camp during the night. Speculation is rife that the assailants use petrol bombs to set the tents alight. In the latest case, the tent which was occupied by seven children was set alight yesterday at around 1:30am. The tent was semi-detached to another which was occupied by the parents of the children. It is said that the tent suddenly went ablaze when almost all the refugees had gone to bed as it was way after midnight. burnt Other refugees whose tents are situated next to the burnt one are said to have raised an alarm to notify management and the rest of the refugees at the camp. The parents of the children were the first people to be rescued out of the burning tent, followed by the five children. However, it is said that the refugees had a tough time rescuing the last two children as the fire and smoke had already covered the whole tent. The two children were eventually rescued after they had already sustained serious burn wounds which led to the death of the boy. The other five children and the parents managed to escape with minor bruises they were treated for at the clinic situated within the camp. When this publication visited the camp, some relatives of the affected family were found inside one of the offices where they convened an emotional prayer. comment Members of the family could not be drawn to comment on the matter as they were evidently in a heartrending state. Some of the refugees interviewed on condition of anonymity alleged that the burning of tents at the camp could be as a result of internal strife between the nationalities. The refugees alleged that there were currently some evident differences between the nationalities at the camp. “Although we do not have the facts, it is our speculation that the arson attacks could be as a result of the differences between the nationalities here,” said one of the refugees. Commissioner of refugees in the ministry of home affairs Thandi Khumalo and police convened an urgent closed-doors meeting at the camp, where the matter was deliberated upon. She said the ministry was currently not in a position to give details on the matter. matter Khumalo pointed out that the matter was currently laden with many allegations something which made it difficult for her to give details. “We currently do not have the facts on the matter as it happened this morning (yesterday). For now I can only confirm that a tent was set alight during the night, resulting in two children being rushed to hospital,” said the commissioner. Khumalo then said the ministry asked police to provide a 24-hour security at the camp until the situation normalised. Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintended Khulani Mamba confirmed the matter.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 21:01:15 +0000
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