Hundreds of people were left homeless after more than 80 shacks were ravaged by a fire at S-section in Site B, Khayelitsha on Thursday 16 October. The cause of the incident is still unclear. Shack fire victim Abulele Sikwana (37) said she lost all her belongings in the fire.
“I lost everything in the fire including my academic documents. The incident started after 17:00 while I was at Nonkqubela Centre in the area. I saw the smoke, but I ignored it, and it didn’t cross my mind that it could be in my area,” she explained, adding that she received a WhatsApp message from one of her neighbours informing her that her shack is burning. When she arrived at her shack, it was already burnt to the ground. Sikwana said she is currently living with her siblings in her parent’s house in the area.
Luyanda Matutu said he was at the shebeen when the shack fire started. He said he saw people passing by the shebeen, running and carrying buckets of water trying to extinguish the flames.
“I think the fire was in the sixth shack away from mine, but because the area is so dense I couldn’t manage to take out all my stuff. The big things like the fridge, cupboard, bed and electrical stove were all lost in the fire,” he explained.
Ward 91 councillor Thando Mpengezi described the incident as a disaster. He stated that City officials are busy verifying the number of people affected by the incident. However, he stated that 80 shacks were destroyed and he estimated more than 150 people are now homeless.
“According to the information that I received, the incident was started by a man who was fighting with his family over food. It seems the family didn’t give him food, and he then threatened to burn the shack and a few hours later the community saw the shack burning,” explained Mpengezi.
He said the shack fire victims are busy trying to clean their sites.
“It is too early to give the exact number of the people affected as the officials are trying to verify it. But, I’m appealing to everyone to come on board and try and assist the victims with whatever they can,” said Mpengezi, adding that he informed relevant humanitarian organisations including Gift of the Givers about the disaster.
