A fire that swept through the Quarry Road informal settlement in eThekwini has left 477 people homeless and destroyed about 130 shacks.
The blaze displaced 299 children and 178 adults, prompting a multi-agency response to provide emergency assistance to affected families.
The fire is believed to have started in a shack rented by a foreign national who remains at large, authorities said.
Displaced residents have been temporarily housed in two marquees while officials arrange further support.
Emergency response praised
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma commended emergency and disaster response teams for their swift action following the incident on Saturday.
“Residents who contacted me and my office yesterday have expressed their deepest appreciation. Tribute must go to the team assigned by the mayor. Speed and efficiency are what should forever characterise our work as we move forward,” Duma said.
Authorities are working closely with eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba and Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane to coordinate the response.
A multi-disciplinary team has been deployed to provide ongoing support, including officials from the human settlements department led by head of department Max Mbili, eThekwini disaster management teams and the national Department of Human Settlements. The team is working alongside Ward 25 Councillor Mkhize and the ward committee.
Support for affected families
Government has prioritised assistance for children affected by the fire, with plans to provide school uniforms to enable them to return to school. KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Education Sipho Hlomuka is receiving updates from his department on the intervention.
Teams have been deployed to help residents replace identity documents and birth certificates lost in the fire.
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Additional support is being provided by KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health Nomagugu Simelane and MEC for Social Development Mbali Shinga, who have dispatched teams to assist affected families.
Several organisations have stepped in to provide relief, including the Gift of the Givers Foundation, Al Imdaad Foundation and the Red Cross. Local community members and the Ikabawo Performing Arts Academy are also supplying meals and essential items.
Duma said a roving team will remain in the area to ensure continued assistance as recovery efforts continue.
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