Hundreds of people from Nkanini informal settlement in Strand were left homeless after fire destroyed more than 200 shacks in the area on Monday 15 April. The cause was unknown.
According to the victims, the fire began around 09:00.
Fire victim Yonela Fanta said she was traumatised, having lost all her belongings in the blaze. “I was at work when the shack fire star-
ted. Around 10 o’clock I received a call from one of my neighbours saying my shack had burnt down. I couldn’t believe it.
I phoned another friend to confirm my shack was destroyed, which she did.”
She said she lost everything, including her academic documents, and was concerned about how she would rebuild her shack. She recently started a new job.
“I’m working at a fisheries in Strand. I have been working there for three weeks now. I must buy clothes again for my 14-year-old daughter because when the incident occurred she was at school.”
For now she will stay with her brother in Nomzamo. She urged the City of Cape Town to intervene and give them building material.
Ward 86 councillor Xolani Diniso described the incident as shocking. He said more than 200 shacks were affected and more than 800 people left destitute.
“I informed the City officials and other non-governmental organisations, including Gift of the Givers about the incident. We are appealing to all the local businesses and the community to contribute with whatever they can to assist the shack-fire victims.”
He said it was the first time such an incident occurred in his ward since he became a councillor.
Diniso stressed some of the shack-fire victims are squatting at their friends and family members.
The City’s Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, confirmed the incident.
He added that the fire started just after 09:00 on Tuesday 15 April.
The Fire and Rescue Service received reports of informal structures alight near Dumisani Street in Lwandle.
He said the density of the area coupled with a wind fanning the fire meant additional resources had to be deployed.
“Law enforcement was also requested as some members of the community wanted to intimidate the firefighters. More than 60 firefighters were on the scene, with at least 10 firefighting resources.
“The fire was extinguished at 16:45. At this stage there is no indication of what caused the fire,” said Carelse, adding that there were no injuries to civilians, but one adult male was treated for a seizure and a firefighter injured his knee and was taken to hospital for treatment.
He said the Disaster Risk Management Centre will confirm the number of structures affected once an assessment has been concluded.
