Minister of human settlements Mmamoloko Kubayi and Cape Town MMC of human settlements Malusi Booi visiting fire-ravaged settlements. Photo: Supplied
The City of Cape Town’s human settlements department is engaged in efforts to electrify the four major informal settlements that were ravaged by a fire over the festive period.
The minister of human settlement, Mmamoloko Kubayi, along with Cape Town’s MMC of human settlement, Malusi Booi, visited the affected settlements – Dunoon situated in Nkanini, Masiphumelele in Phola Park, Philippi and Silvertown in Khayelitsha – on Tuesday
“Since December 15 to date, over 1 000 residents in informal settlements have been affected by fires. In the recent fires in the four areas visited, the majority of the affected areas are electrified,” said Booi.
He added:
City teams are utterly dedicated to providing relief to fire-and flood-affected residents within what is possible. Every instance of fire is assessed and a specific approach is developed as all instances will have unique circumstances. The City enables and facilitates soft relief, such as donations, as well as clearing and reinstating services, verification and assessments for assistance.
Booi said that the department looked forward to working together with all stakeholders to enhance emergency response following incidents of fires and floods in informal settlements in a feasible and well defined manner.
The Silvertown fire incident that destroyed 81 shacks and affected 192 residents occurred on Saturday.
It is unclear what caused the fire, however, police attended to the fire complaint and reported no injuries, while not stating that the cause of the fire was being investigated.
The City used to issue fire and flood building emergency kits to residents in informal settlements, but this was defunded two years ago. These building kits can only be issued in terms of a national disaster that is declared by government – as not all incidents can be classified as disasters and thus qualify for funding.
City of Cape Town Disaster Risk Management confirmed to City Press that Gift of the Givers and SA Social Security Agency were providing humanitarian assistance.
“Disaster Risk Management officials completed their assessment and various City departments are on site and busy with assessments. The department of home affairs was also activated to assist residents with identity documents,” said spokesperson for Disaster Risk Management Charlotte Powell.
Powell added that Cape Town’s water and sanitation department would attend to damaged infrastructure, while solid waste would remove fire debris.
Gift of the Givers spokesperson Ali Sablay said they were alerted by community members when the recent fire occurred.
Gift of the Givers spokesperson Ali Sablay said they were alerted by community members when the recent fire occurred. Photo: Supplied
“One of our team members does not stay too far from where the fire occurred and she was awakened by loud bangs on her front door by community members, asking her to come help. The Gift of the Givers team were immediately dispatched.”
Sablay added that they provided hot meals, baby care packs, which consisted of nappies and cereal. He also mentioned that some of the taps had also burnt, resulting in no clean drinking water.
“The water is vital for elderly people to drink medication and mothers to make bottles for their babies. We provided blankets, toiletries and hygiene items. We will also be getting a list from all the children who were affected by the fire in terms of school uniform and stationery. We will be assisting children, not only in Khayelitsha but all the areas that were affected by fire in the Western Cape.”
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