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Midrand fire victim’s family dismisses GBV rumours

todaySeptember 27, 2024 445 1

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The family of the victim who lost her life during the Broadwalk Urban Village residential complex fire, in Midrand, has refuted rumours, circulated by some neighbours, that she was a casualty of Gender-Based Violence.

YNews managed to have a conversation with Matlhogonolo Tsae, who is the family’s spokesperson and sister to the deceased.

“I know she is a woman and a mother who the media painted as if she was in a GBV in her relationship, which is not true. As a family we did our part speaking to the media. We are now moving forward. We need closure and space to bury our loved one,” says Tsae.

Onalenna is the only one who died during the blaze and was discovered under the rubble of a collapsed roof of her apartment.

The fire, which is reported to have broken out from her apartment on Heritage Day, ravaged through the entire residential complex, leaving 100 families homeless, and 130 units reduced to ashes.

The 33-year-old had been staying with her son and partner who were both not at home when tragedy struck.

Her sister, Matlhogonolo, says the family will host a wreath laying ceremony in Onalenna’s honour at the razed down Broadwalk Urban Village on Saturday afternoon, where mourners are welcome to pay their last respects with flowers and lit candles.

“We will be having a flower drop of and candle lighting tomorrow at her place. The other one will be done by a boxing organisation. She was a boxer. We will be burying her next week at home,” adds Matlogonolo. Written by Odirile Rabolao

Written by: Lindiwe Mabena

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