The Ward 109 Development Forum claims it has reached an agreement with the City of Cape Town to allocate vacant service plots for those displaced by the fire at the Deepfreeze informal settlement in Macassar.
On Thursday 9 January, a fire engulfed 20 informal structures, leaving 50 people homeless in Deepfreeze (“Vyftig dakloos ná brand in Macassar”, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 15 January).
The forum was adamant that the vacant land in the area belonged to those displaced. According to forum chairperson Sipho Delani, residents of the informal settlement had been waiting to receive their plots but were constantly informed of delays as the plots had officially not been allocated.
“The City is failing the residents of Deepfreeze,” Delani said at the time of the fire.
The Ward 109 Development Forum, which was founded November last year, is a collaboration of leadership groups in the ward that have united to support the development of the community.
“Our objective is to ensure the growth of Ward 109 and ensure that the community gets what it deserves,” Delani explained.
The prospect of receiving the plots was apparently a silver lining for community members during a time of much hardship.
“If there is one good thing to come out of this horrific situation, it might be the fact that the displaced will be receiving their plots sooner,” said Pastor André Wales, a community leader in Deepfreeze informal settlement during an interview about relief efforts for the displaced.
The forum raised its concerns that the victims of the Deepfreeze fire were living with generous community members who opened their doors to them, stating that the urgency for fire victims to receive the plots was paramount.
They took their concerns to Ward 109 councillor Peter Helfrich, and they claim Helfrich met with forum members, residents, and leadership groups in Deepfreeze.
“We were then informed that the plots will soon be made available for residents to relocate to,” said Delani.
According to the forum, the Helfrich was able to secure the designated plots for those left homeless as well as the residents in Deepfreeze who were living in informal settlements.
“We would like to applaud Ward 109 councillor Peter Helfrich for securing the release of service plots for Deep Freeze residents,” said Delani.
The forum proudly proclaimed the councillor to be a person of integrity who is deeply committed to the residents of Macassar after the success of securing the plots.
DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette reached out to the City and Helfrich to verify the forum’s claims regarding the allocation of vacant land in Deepfreeze, however, no response was received from the City or Helfrich at the time of going to print.
The City’s responded: “We are looking into the particulars and will respond in due course.”
DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette undertakes to publish the City and councillor’s response once forthcoming.
