A devastating shack fire has left the community of Villa Liza in Ekurhuleni in mourning after four children tragically lost their lives on Friday, 27 June 2025. The victims—Mfanelo Ntuli (4), Nkazimulo Mthabela (4), Emihle Shabalala (5), and Anele Shabalala (14)—were trapped inside a four-room shack that became engulfed in flames in the evening.
The heartbreaking incident has shaken multiple families, who are now grappling with the pain of losing their beloved children in such a horrific way.
Sthembile Mthabela (37), mother of young Nkazimulo, shared the emotional details of their last conversation. “Mum, I won’t return home, I’m going to enjoy myself at grandmother’s place,” were his last words during a phone call. Sthembile, who lives in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, said it was Nkazimulo’s first visit to his grandmother’s home in Villa Liza.
“He was so excited to leave. He woke up at 4 a.m. to get ready. Every day, he would tell me he loved me and even called me ‘Sthandwa.’ If I didn’t respond, he would ask if I didn’t love him anymore. I now believe he was unknowingly saying goodbye,” she said, tearfully recalling their last moments together.
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Khanyile Ntuli (36), mother of Mfanelo, described her final moments with her son before heading to work that day. “He stopped me at the door and asked for polony from the fridge. I gave it to him. Then he asked me to buy him Chappies when I returned. That was the last time I saw him alive.”
Khanyile remembered her son as an intelligent and kind-hearted boy who loved people. “It’s devastating. The way they died… it breaks my heart.”
The children were reportedly left under the supervision of an elder while their grandmother, 70-year-old Ncenceza Ntuli, briefly stepped out to attend a funeral in the Eastern Cape. While she was waiting for transport, she heard the community whistle—a local alarm system used during emergencies. Rushing back, she was met by thick smoke and raging flames.
“When I arrived, the shack was already engulfed in fire. The children were trapped inside, and no one could save them,” said a distraught Ncenceza. She believes the fire was caused by a candle left burning during load shedding.
In the same yard, the Shabalala family is mourning the loss of two children—Anele and Emihle. Anele’s elder sister, Ncamisile, said the entire family is in disbelief. “We keep hoping someone will tell us this is just a bad dream. These were innocent, joyful children. We don’t understand why this happened.”
Nompilo Shabalala (23), Emihle’s mother, remains deeply traumatised. “I still can’t believe he’s gone. This pain will haunt me forever,” she said.
The tragedy has left all the affected families shattered and a community reeling from the loss of four precious young lives.
