By Mapaballo Borotho
- Five children died in a shack fire in Shakashead, Stanger, early Saturday morning.
- The parents and a two-year-old child survived, with the mother hospitalised and the father seriously injured.
- Authorities have launched an investigation while government teams assist the affected family.
Five children have tragically died after their shack caught fire in Shakashead, Stanger, in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday, 28 February 2026.
The parents and one child survived the blaze. The mother is currently receiving medical care in hospital, while the father sustained minor injuries.
KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements MEC, Siboniso Duma, said the surviving toddler is only two years old. The deceased children were aged 19, 14, 13, and one-year-old twins.
“We salute the mother who saved the surviving child, Yana Menemene. The remains of the five children have been taken by the SAPS Forensic Team for investigation,” said Duma.
According to the KwaDukuza Local Municipality Disaster Management team, the fire broke out at around 05h05. Upon arrival, the shack was already engulfed in flames.
“We wish to express our deepest condolences to the surviving family members. We have assigned a team from my office and the Department of Human Settlements to work with KwaDukuza Local Municipality to assist the affected family,” Duma added.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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