Fresh concerns regarding the distribution of fire kits to victims of blazes have again resurfaced following the gutting of six informal structures in Helen Square informal settlement, Nomzamo, earlier this month, The inferno left dozens homeless.
According to proportional representative councillor Unathi Lasithi, the fire occurred on Monday 2 January (“In sak en as op Kersdag”, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 11 January). He visited the victims to hand items out, such as clothing and groceries, shortly after the incident.
“The main issue in the area and many other areas within the City of Cape Town is the misinformation deliberately communicated by some councillors and leaders within communities,” he said.
“Community members are made to believe that the City has abruptly made a decision to not issue fire kits to those affected by disasters such fires. The City has no intention to do away with fire kits, but national government has halted the funds used for fire kits and it has communicated it will no longer support the issuing of fire kits through grants.”
Lasithi added that the City’s Human Settlements Directorate had written numerous letters to national government requesting funds that would ensure residents facing disaster are able to be assisted with fire kits.
“As the City, we want to be able to assist residents with fire kits, but the problem lies with national government,” he said. “I would like to urge public leaders, when dealing with the issue of distribution of fire kits, to communicate honestly with residents.”
Councillor Malusi Booi, Mayoral Committee member for Human Settlements, also weighed in on the matter, stating that the City is the only metro in South Africa that provided the service of building materials outside of a declared disaster.
“However, grant cuts unfortunately ended this programme more than two years ago,” Booi pointed out.
“The City also applies to the national disaster authorities for assistance to have incidents declared a disaster, in order to possibly unlock disaster relief funds from the national government.”
Booi added that the City does what it can to provide soft relief, enable humanitarian assistance, clear sites and debris for rebuilding and assist where it can.
