Police in Plessislaer in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands are investigating an inquest following the deaths of six relatives in KwaMyandu. It is alleged that the men aged between 17 and 50 died in their sleep after inhaling smoke from a brazier which they had used to keep themselves warm throughout the night.
Reports indicate that these relatives were sleeping in one of the rooms because the family had a traditional ceremony.
Police say a seventh man was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
The following morning, another family member opened the door of the room to find six of the men not breathing while one was gasping for breath. An ambulance was immediately summoned and paramedics declared that six were deceased. We are once again appealing to the community to refrain from using braziers or fires to keep warm in confined spaces, as many lives are lost every year during the winter months through this practice. We are continuing to educate citizens of this province during our community engagements as we see an increase of such deaths in the winter months Provincial police spokesperson, Jay Naicker elaborates.
