The Erongo Regional Governor has emphasised the need to decongest shacks and provide decent housing for residents.

Her call follows the death of two minors in a shack fire last Wednesday at DRC Swakopmund.

Witnesses report that the fire, which broke out at midnight, spread quickly, trapping and killing Zelda Goses's two children, aged one and four years.

This is the second shack fire Goses endured this year, at the same plot.

Her grandmother, Ewaldine Isack, urged residents living in shacks to be vigilant because they use candles and their houses are made of flammable material. 

"Let us acknowledge that we are living in a shack and remember to blow out candles and switch off our pots. We do not know where the fire came from. Only the Lord and Zelda know what happened. I'm hearing different versions; that's why I'm saying that we live in these types of situations, and we need to be extra careful. You need to love your life and children."

Since the incident, several leaders have visited the bereaved family.

Erongo Governor Natalia |Goagoses was the latest leader who went to support and console them.

The leaders assured the family of their support, saying they would cover the cost of the burial and other needs that would arise.