Sphesihle Ndlovu is haunted by the blood-curdling screams as flames enveloped his firefighting colleagues Ntombikhona Nxele, Khethiwe Ngcobo and Nonsikelelo Zuma.
Ndlovu is one of the lucky survivors who was fighting runaway fires on Sterling Farm in Mpophomeni, Boston, outside Pietermaritzburg, on Sunday, when a sudden wind change caused the flames to encircle the group.
Three others who were badly burnt — Nomfundo Nxele, Bongiwe Shishane and Vusi Hudula — succumbed to their injuries a short while later in hospital.
Ndlovu, 29, was discharged on Monday with burns to his legs while his colleague, whom he refers to as uBaba Dlamini, is still in hospital.
Ndlovu, overcome with grief and guilt, feels far from lucky.
“We were all under fire literally. While my colleagues were screaming, I was trying to put out the fires which threatened my life. It was difficult, but by some grace I was able to run,” said Ndlovu.
Ndlovu, from the rural eMaswazini community near Boston, said he managed to crest a mountain-like structure and from there he was able to get an aerial view of the fire.
“I was shocked to see my colleagues in flames. They were screaming. I saw one curled on the ground. Her dreads were burning and I knew she was dead. The other two were thrashing about in agony, but I couldn’t get to them.”
Ndlovu, who started working at Farmusa, a company contracted to Sappi Forests three months ago, said they didn’t usually work on Sundays, but were deployed in the emergency.
“Normally on Sundays we rest. But we were told that a fire had been started by poachers to get the animals to run out of the forest. When we got there, it was chaos, a vortex of flames driven wild by the wind, out of control. Who knew these actions of suspected poachers would have caused such misery,” said Ndlovu.
For the relatives of those who died, the misery was amplified at the Howick mortuary on Monday.
Nxele’s aunt Bongiwe said they have been dealt a “heavy blow”. The mother of two teenagers — 13 and 15 — spent over 10 years working as a firefighter.
“We were taken by surprise when we were paid a visit by her work superiors. What also scared us is that one of our relatives, who works with the company, was with them and she was weeping,” said Nxele.
“Before they could utter the dreaded words I held on to the hope that she may have made it out alive, but it was not meant to be. She was dedicated to her job so that she could provide for her children,” she said.
“She was a respectful woman who held us very highly. As the elders of the family we had high hopes for her,” said Nxele.
Also at the mortuary were Zuma’s family members who sat on the outside steps after trying to identify her remains.
Her relative, Sebenzile Kunene, said Zuma stepped in to the role of parent after the death of her elderly father at their home in Elandskop.
“She was a breadwinner. She had grown in her job, having started there as a youngster so she could put food on the table.”
Kunene said though the job came with challenges, the family didn’t recall her talking about the dangers.
“The only thing she ever spoke about was once coming under attack by a wild animal which left her bruised. Other than that nothing serious, but she was resilient and brave,” said Kunene.
She said the family was devastated when they were informed, but hoped it wouldn’t be her body at the morgue.
“We just told ourselves ... let’s just get confirmation before the grief settles in. We felt some miracle would have perhaps spared her life, but we were wrong,” said Kunene.
Ndlovu said the workers got on well, and he was glad to be employed after last working on a contract in 2022.
“It had given me a whole new lease on life. We worked together with some of my colleagues and enjoyed the bonds of living together in the staff cottages,” said Ndlovu.
The Farmusa employees were deployed to the farm, adjacent to the Sappi Pinewoods plantation, after fires had been raging from about 3am.
Sappi said they dispatched a firefighting crew consisting of 16 people (15 Farmusa staff and a Sappi forester) with three fire trucks after they were contacted shortly after 10am by the farm owner, seeking assistance with fighting the fires.
“The adverse weather conditions contributed to uncontrollable fires which ultimately trapped eight members of the team.”
Sappi said adverse weather conditions in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga led to wildfires raging for the last 10 days in the areas around its plantations.
“All forestry personnel and our forestry contractors have been stretched to the limit, having to contain hundreds of fires. The causes and impacts of all these fires have not yet been assessed.
“No matter how prepared we are for the fire season, including extensive training that is undertaken, our worst fear remains any loss of life. Sappi is shocked and deeply affected by this tragic incident, and we express our sincere condolences to Farmusa and the families of the deceased”, said Duane Roothman, Sappi Forests vice-president.
“We pay tribute to the people who died in these fires for their heroic efforts that cost them their lives while delivering selfless service to their communities,” said Roothman.
“The devastating effects of wildfires cannot ever be underestimated, and this tragic event underlines the absolute importance for all community members to be vigilant and to take ultimate care at all times in being aware and prepared during fire season,” he said.
uMngeni mayor Chris Pappas said it appeared to have been a runaway grass fire and that Sappi, Working on Fire, local land owners and uMgungundlovu Fire had also all responded.
Provincial co-operative governance and traditional affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi said he was deeply saddened by the “tragic loss”.
“These brave individuals lost their lives while battling the blaze. We are heartbroken by the loss of these courageous workers who were fighting to protect others from harm. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families affected by this tragic event and wish a speedy recovery to those injured,” Buthelezi said.
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