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Brothers die in fiery explosion

MONISHKA GOVENDER monishka.govender@inl.co.za

BROTHERS Mohamed and Azhar Moosa bought chicken tikka from a takeaway on Saturday. They were in their usual talkative moods. Azhar even told the shop owner about his upcoming wedding, which will now never go ahead.

The siblings died following an explosion at their workplace, AutoQuip Motor Spares, in Dr Chota Motala Road, Raisethorpe, Pietermaritzburg, later that night. A third employee sustained minor injuries.

According to witnesses, the explosion happened at about 6pm when most shops were closing. The entire business premises was gutted.

Azhar, 26, also referred to as Tubby, died at the scene, while Mohamed, 34, also known as Mo, and a third employee were taken to hospital. Mohamed died on Sunday.

Ritesh Hanuman, owner of AutoQuip Motor Spares, said: “I’m still struggling to come to terms with the brothers’ deaths. Mo and Tubby were awesome, gems in the business. Losing them has been a big knock to us. I don’t have the words to explain how devastated I am.”

He said Mohamed worked at the shop for six years with tow trucks, while Azhar was a salesperson for five years.

“I’m heartbroken because it’s not the number of years I’ve worked with them but rather the strong bond I had with them. We were extremely close. They were hard workers, kind and generous.

“They were not my staff but rather my sons. I lost my own family. After speaking to their mom, I feel even more heartbroken because she can’t handle her pain. I sympathise with the family and send my condolences to them at this difficult time,” said Hanuman.

A resident, Thando Mncwabe, said she was walking to the CBD when she heard an explosion. “I was scared, so I walked away quickly but when I returned, I saw the whole shop on fire and hundreds of people around. It was scary to see such a thing. I even saw their families screaming outside when they came out with a body bag. Even though I don’t know the brothers, it is still sad to die in such a way.”

Many of the workers and shop owners in the area were no strangers to the brothers’ charm.

Yasin Shah, the owner of a spares

shop, said the brothers frequented his business. “They never had problems with anyone. On the day of the fire, they bought chicken tikka from my wife’s takeaway. One brother spoke to my wife about how he will be getting married soon. It’s so sad that he didn’t make it to his wedding.

“When the explosion took place, my building shook. I quickly went outside

to see what happened and saw their shop on fire. I did not think they were burning inside,” said Shah.

Dr Rajesh Ramchandra’s dental surgery occupies the building next to the motor spares shop.

Ramchandra said: “Someone called to tell me what happened. By the time we got here, the auto shop was completely gutted. Those brothers were loveable

and kind souls.

“I was close to both boys. We called them Mo and Tubby. They were pleasant, helpful and overall nice gentlemen. We would see each other every break or when I was in between consults.

“I am devastated by their deaths. Knowing they will not be around any more breaks my heart. We really had an excellent relationship. No matter what happened, they were always willing to help, so it’s a real tragedy to lose such good guys,” said Ramchandra.

Rhea Singh, who works at a nearby takeaway, said: “I met them recently and they made a good impression. For the short time that I knew them, they were always smiling and helping others. They always showed me respect.

“I feel sad that they have passed away. As a mother, my heart goes out to their mother. I can’t imagine the grief she and her family are going through.”

Renisha Singh, a DA councillor, said the siblings resided in her ward.

“When the explosion happened, the community and other councillors went to assist. The paramedics and fire department were already there. It was an emotional scene to watch. Their mother was waiting outside hoping her sons were safe but then the search team came out with a body bag and confirmed her worst nightmare.

“I have been visiting the family every day since then to offer moral support. We will help in whatever way we can with both the investigation and emotional assistance.”

Singh said that the family were struggling to come to terms with their double loss.

“The family are devastated. The boys died in such a tragic way and the procedures that followed added to the heartbreak. The family were set to have the funeral for one son on Sunday at 1pm, when they got a call from the hospital just before the burial only to be told that their second son had also passed away.”

Singh said Mohammed was married and had a daughter and Azhar was due to be married.

“It’s extremely sad to see such well loved and generous boys die in such a way. They were so well respected that a beggar, who one of the brothers often gave food to, wanted to enter the burning building to save them.”

Colonel Robert Netshiunda, a provincial police spokesperson, said: “Police in Mountain Rise are investigating ... after two people burnt to death in a fire that broke out on Dr Chota Motala Road on Saturday evening.

“When people arrived at the scene, two people were trapped inside a burning building but were rescued and taken to hospital for immediate medical attention. The third person had already been declared dead at the scene. Of the two who were rescued, one of them succumbed to burn wounds on Sunday morning.”

The fire department did not comment at the time of publication on the cause of the explosion. The family declined to comment.

The brothers’ funeral took place on Sunday at the Mountain Rise Muslim Cemetery in Pietermaritzburg.

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2023-05-31T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-05-31T07:00:00.0000000Z

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