A 27-year-old man, Mr Lucky Netshituni, died when his one-room shack burnt down during the early hours of Sunday at Thembaluvhilo.
His burnt body was discovered on the floor when members of the South African Police Services investigated the scene. According to relatives who lived with Lucky, the young man went to bed around 01:45. The possibility that he had consumed some alcohol that night was fairly high, some said.
The cause of the fire that claimed Netshituni's life is unknown.
Community members described him as a "quiet and peaceful" person who was mostly referred to as "One Man". One of the deceased's friends said that he and some other friends had been with Lucky a few hours before the incident and little had they known that they would never see their friend again.
"I don't recall 'One man' being too drunk that evening; yes, he had a beer or two, but to be drunk to the extent that he could burn to death just like that baffles me," he said.
Makhado Ward 35 councillor Mr Tshifhiwa Mamafha said that he was saddened by the tragedy and by the fact that they had no means of assistance in cases of fire. "We are working with relevant stakeholders within the community to ensure that we assist the family where we can," said Mamafha.
Spokesperson for the Mphephu police station constable Omphulusa Tshikalaha confirmed that an inquest docket had been opened and the case was being investigated.