Pretoria – The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality is still continuing with its search for families of the Struisbult care centre fire victims.
A fortnight ago, Struisbult care centre in Springs was gutted by a fire that destroyed a portion of the frail care facility and also killed 12 residents. Now, the municipality is still looking for the families of six of the victims.
Families of Johannah Khumalo, Precious Mkhomazi, Nombulelo Majola, Doreen Masimowe, Nobuhle Sotho and Johanna Pinky Mbonani were immediately contacted after the incident.
Municipal spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said efforts have since been channeled at finding the families of the other six victims; Pearl Grobbler (Identity Book lost in the fire), Grace Mkhize, Anna Catharina Maria Harmse, Mary-Ann Browning, Doris Nomasonto Nhlapo, and Nomasomi (no Identity Book).
“Already, some of the families have buried their loved ones. We are appealing to members of the public to assist us in locating the relatives of the remaining victims so that they may also lay their loved ones to rest.
“If the process of searching for family members does not yield results, the authorities will have to decide on the way forward,” he said.
The Gauteng Department of Health and Social Services has put in place plans to facilitate a DNA process that will assist in identifying the deceased.
Again, members of the public, who have relatives at the care centre and cannot find them since the fire, can come forward and contact Phumla Nkosi on 082 469 0595.
For more information, people can also contact Sello Mokoena of the Health Department on 082 331 0786 or Zweli Dlamini of Ekurhuleni Metro on 082 573 6464. – BuaNews
