A three-year-old and a 44-year-old have died in KwaZulu-Natal after inhaling smoke from imbawula (a traditional heater) fuelled with charcoal.
According to the KwaZulu-Natal department of co-operative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta), the bodies were discovered on Friday morning after two neighbouring houses in Nquthu kept their heater running overnight which led to prolonged inhalation of smoke. The pair were from different households.
Four other people are currently receiving medical attention from a local hospital as a result of the incident.
Cogta MEC Sipho Hlomuka urged residents to be cautious when using these heaters or generators to keep warm during winter.
“It is important that we all practise caution whenever we use izimbawula or generators. The tragic incident in Nquthu is regrettable. We do not want to see the unnecessary loss of life in our province as a result of smoke inhalation, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic which is already putting pressure on our health facilities,” said Hlomuka.
-Sowetan
In other news – Inside Thando Thabethe’s lockdown 30th Birthday dinner – Pictures
Happy belated birthday to one of Mzansi’s most-loved television and radio personalities Thando ‘Thabooty’ Thabethe.
The former 5FM DJ recently took to social media to share some of the moments from her special day, writing. “Yesterday was nothing short of magical.” Adding that Covid19 has affected the way we celebrate special moments. “This pandemic has forced us to rethink how we celebrate important moments in our lives.” continue reading
