Lwandle police have ruled out possible foul play on the fire that left hundreds of people at Solly’s Town informal settlement with no roof over their heads.
The inferno started in one shack on Wednesday 16 March, and quickly spread to over 100 structures.
Most residents lost all their belongings and have sought refuge from relatives in and around the area while trying to rebuild their lives.
However, humanitarian aid has been pouring in, with Gift of the Givers spearheading the initiative.
There has also been help from other Good Samaritans and sympathetic residents.
Resident Matilda Tsetse (39) told City Vision the fire started close to her two-room shack and quickly engulfed the entire neighbourhood.
“I have three children, and everyone lost everything in the house. My children’s school uniform, clothes and furniture have all gone up in smoke. The fire occurred on Wednesday but all the emotions came flooding in my head on Thursday and I started crying,” she said.
“I came to realise that I lost all my belongings. It has all sank now, we have to rebuild our lives again,” said Tsetse, adding that in 2011 she suffered a similar fate in a different area.
Tsetse called on people to help them with beds and blankets while they try to rebuild their lives.
Residents of Sithunzi Street, which is adjacent to the informal settlement, provided the victims with soup on Friday morning.
They also rendered other necessary assistance.
Nkeletseng Mokotedi, Sithunzi resident, said they decided to donate vegetables and to cook for victims.
“Those people are our neighbours. We feel the pain they are going through. They have nothing. So, as small as this is, we have decided to serve them with something to eat in the meantime,” she said.
Charlotte Powell, Portfolio Head of Public Awareness and Preparedness from the City of Cape Town, said the blaze destroyed 145 structures and 277 people have were affected. She added that Gift of the Givers will provide humanitarian assistance and the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has also been informed.
Sgt Mthokozisi Gama, Lwandle spokesperson, said they suspect no foul play. He said no injuries were reported.