Efforts are underway to rebuild homes and rehome hundreds of Joe Slovo informal settlement residents whose shacks were razed by a devastating inferno over the weekend.
At least 200 shacks were gutted when the fire broke out at Joe Slovo on Saturday 16 April, leaving hundreds homeless and without food.
While the cause of the fire remains unknown, some residents claim it was started by someone who left a burning stove alone and went to a shebeen. The fire started around 17:00.
When City Vision visited the area on Sunday 17 April residents were still scratching through the rubble in an attempt to rebuild their lives. Some were scavenging through the debris for reusable material, while others stood hopelessly starring at what were once their homes.
Several aid organisations including the Gift of the Givers were assessing the damage, while City of Cape Town officials were also on hand.
Eddie Andrews, the City’s acting mayor, said the Disaster Risk Management Centre (DRMC) and Informal Settlements Management have completed the registration process of the affected. He added that a total of 260 structures were destroyed and 767 people left homeless. “City services have been on the ground since just after 18:00 on Saturday evening minutes after the Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to the incident. It has been challenging, but I commend everyone who has had a hand in extinguishing the fire and ensuring that no lives were lost,” he said.
Andrews said the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) and Gift of the Givers will continue to provide humanitarian assistance in the form of meals and sanitary packs.
He stated that the City’s Water and Sanitation Department is going to deliver 10 chemical toilets to the site later this week.
“The Solid Waste Department has not been able to clear the fire debris yet as some residents have started to rebuild their structures. While emergency shelter was made available at a local church hall, the demand has been very low, as most individuals prefer to stay with friends or relatives,” he said.
Andrews added that a faith-based organisation has offered stationery and clothing, while a local church has opened its doors to women and children during the day.
“The City has also made available donation points where residents who have the means can donate blankets, non-perishable food, disposable nappies, baby food, sanitary items and other materials,” he said
Residents can drop off donations at The Urban Rural Development, City of Cape Town Housing Department and at the Mustadafin Foundation.
In an interview with City Vision, one of the victims, Malibongwe Nkopo, said he lost everything. “According to some of the residents, the lady of the shack where the fire started was cooking and went to drink. The neighbours saw the smoke coming out from the shack. And when they tried to extinguish it the flames overwhelmed them,” he claimed.
At the time, Nkopo was with his friend in Nkandla. “I received a call from my neighbours informing me that my shack is on fire. My shack was not too far where the fire started. But by the time I arrived my shack was finished,” he explained.
Another victim, Bulelwa Mayila, said she is worried about how she is going to rebuild her shack. “I don’t have building material and I’m not working. I only managed to take out my purse with my documents and the rest burned inside the shack,” said the mother of two.
She appealed to the City to intervene and provide the building material. “I don’t have clothes, food, stove, blankets, shelter. I lost everything. The City must make a plan to relocate us here to a better place,” she said.
Mayila stated that the fire fighters arrived on time but they were unable to move between the shacks.