Shacks fires are more or less the norm in the metro, with a series of shack-fire incidents that have occurred in the last few weeks.
Last Wednesday 8 February, at least 133 shacks burned down in the Neva-Neva informal settlement, leaving 333 people homeless.
A similar incident occurred at Section 6 in KTC on Saturday 11 February, where 30 shacks caught fire and left 59 people destitute.
The cause of the fire was still unknown.
Victim Nomonde Funani said the fire started around 18:00. She said she was at Nyanga Terminus at the time.
“Fortunately, my 16-year-old daughter was around.
“She ran to the house and grabbed a small bag with clothes and her documents,” she said. “She was unable to take other belongings out, including the wardrobe, cupboard, fridge, bed and dishes because there was no one to assist her.”
Funani said her concern was rebuilding her shack, for she didn’t have money to buy building materials. “I do domestic work in Rylands,” she explained. “I work two days a week and I get paid R250 per day.” She said she works to buy food.
The resident urged local businesspeople to assist shack-fire victims with whatever they can.
Ward 38 councillor Suzanne Zumana said the City opened the community hall for accommodation.
However, she said the shack-fire victims preferred to go to their friends and relatives.
“We informed them the community hall is open for people to sleep in, but they refused, saying they won’t go to the hall but preferred to sleep outside and look after their building material.
Gift of the Givers donated food, fleece blankets, bottles of water, baby formula and toiletries on Sunday 12 February,” Zumama said.
Also, the social grant agency Sassa provided a meal. She stated the issue of housing development in the area was not clear.
