The family of the six men, who died after allegedly inhaling smoke from a brazier in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands, doesn’t suspect any foul play. The men died in their sleep on Sunday morning while attending a relative’s traditional ceremony. Their ages range from 17 to 50.
The traditional ceremony hosted by the Magwenyane family ended with tragedy as six relatives died in their sleep after inhaling what is believed to be toxic fumes that were released from a brazier, which was kept alight throughout the night.
Amongst the deceased is Nqubeko Mtshali, who is in his mid-twenties. Just recently, Mtshali graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Administration from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. His grandmother, Agnes Mtshali says he was the family’s hope.
Agness’s son and a nephew were in the incident.
“We are told that they used a brazier in a small room, and they fell asleep. This was a woods brazier, and they were sleeping in a very small room which has no windows. We believe they might have inhaled smoke, which then affected their breathing,” Mtshali says.
Another relative who lost a family member, Nkosingphile Zungu, says that whilst the family is devastated, they do not suspect any foul play.
“We believe it’s the way God had planned their death. We are not the first people in this area to experience this. We do not believe that it was deliberate. But as a family, we are feeling the pain. We are mourning the loss of so many people,” says Zungu.
No major incidents reported in @CityofJoburgZA due to #ColdFront residents are encouraged to continue to exercise caution when using heating devices Heaters/Braizers/Paraffin Stoves not to leave them unattended while in use to prevent fire incidents at home. @CoJPublicSafety pic.twitter.com/SwiWbNSwl8
— City of Joburg EMS (@CityofJoburgEMS) June 27, 2025
The owner of the house where the incident happened, Nkululeko Magwenyane is still in shock.
“In the morning, I went to the room to wake them up. I knocked on the door, no one responded. I then forced open the door. When I got in, I found them unconscious. As I was checking what was happening, I noticed that there was a brazier in the room and they were all there,” Magwenyane adds.
Local traditional leaders want to call an imbizo to educate residents about the dangers of fires, especially during the winter months.
“Even my nephew is a victim of this fire. This is the first time this kind of incident has happened here. We are shocked as residents. We need people who can educate the community about the dangers of fire and using candles, so we can prevent these fires we will call imbizo,” Nhlalayenza Maphanga says.
Police have opened an inquiry.
KwaZulu-Natal Police have cautioned residents to refrain from sleeping with braziers and open fires in confined spaces. This after six relatives who were sleeping in one room died allegedly from smoke inhilation in KwaMyandu area outside Pietermaritzburg.#SABCNEWS pic.twitter.com/Gvht2xis2F
— Mlondi Radebe (@mlondiee) July 1, 2025
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