Deputy minister Capa relives horror of surviving hotel blaze

Deputy minister of agriculture, land reform and rural development Rosemary Nokuzola Capa has related how she escaped from the blaze that engulfed Mmabatho Palms hotel in Mahikeng on Wednesday morning.

Guests and staff members had to run for their lives, most of them said they lost their valuable belongings in their escape.

The deputy minister, who was on an official trip, said she was still reeling in shock. She said the fire happened around 1am just after she went to bed.

“I was woken up by some smell of smoke. I stood up and I tried to find the lights but they did not light and I tried to find the door, I opened and got out,” Capa said.

She said the corridor was in the cloud of smoke.

“I started to scream, saying 'guys wake up there is fire'!”

She said she tried opening a door she thought could lead her out of the corridor to safety but it would not open.

“I was just estimating that the stairs I saw might be going to emergency exist, I ran down the stairs, saw people trying to get their belongings. I was just persuading them to leave the building.” 

Capa said when she finally managed to leave the building, she ran all the way to the gate from where she called her VIP security personnel.

She said she was given oxygen and some medical assistance at the scene.

The deputy minister said she was more worried about the valuables she lost.

“All my work computers and information are gone.”

Capa complained about the lack of fire alert at the hotel.

“There was no siren, water sprinklers; nothing. There  was no one who was directing [guests] towards any assembly point [for safety]. Confusion reigned there.”

Lucky for her she had her gown on.

“If I was naked I don't know what could have happened.”

North West premier Bushy Maape who attended the scene on his first day at the job said the damage was extensive according to his own personal assessment.

“I cannot give you the damage in terms of costs but the damage is quite extensive,” he said.

“The report I got from the police was that there were no casualties but we will wait for the CEO [of the hotel owners] for more details."

Peermont Hotels Casinos and Resorts has confirmed a fire at its Mahikeng property.

“The police and fire departments are currently on the scene and are in the process of investigating the incident,” the hotel group's statement said. 

North West police spokesman Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone confirmed the incident but said no case has been opened yet.