A fire in the Wag ’n Bietjie informal settlement in Nomzamo, Strand, claimed the life of a resident and left many displaced in the early hours of Christmas Eve (24 December).
Ward 86 councillor Xolani Diniso said that around 64 informal structures were destroyed, leaving families homeless.
“These structures house an average family of three, and based on our calculations, that leaves approximately 200 people displaced, but the number may still be rising,” said Diniso.
The fire, which started at about 01:00 in Richmond Street, Nomzamo, spread rapidly due to strong south-easterly winds.
“Several crews were on scene to contain the blaze,” said Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services.
The fire was extinguished by 05:30, and the scene was handed over to Lwandle police for further investigation.
“CPR was done on an adult male who had suffered smoke inhalation; however, he was declared deceased on the scene,” said Carelse. He added that, besides the single fatality, no other injuries were reported.
As relief efforts began, authorities turned their focus to assessing the damage. The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre (DRMC) was also on-site. “A formal assessment will begin to verify the number of structures destroyed and persons affected,” said DRMC spokesperson Sonica Lategan.
Lategan added that the assessment results will be submitted to the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the National Department of Human Settlements to coordinate relief efforts.
“In the interim, the DRMC will call on some of its NGO partners to assist with humanitarian relief,” she said.
Diniso expressed concern over the impact on residents, particularly children.
“On the eve of Christmas, which is meant to be a festive time, our people are without clothes to wear and food to eat,” he said.
He added that children might not have school uniforms when schools reopen in January.
“We have made contact with various state entities as well as Gift of the Givers to assist the families affected,” said Diniso.
He urged anyone willing to help to donate food or clothes.
“I understand that Christmas is a time for everyone to enjoy, but we can’t be in a festive mood when our brothers and sisters have just lost everything,” he said.
