About 48 residents of Newrest had to see their homes and possessions they worked so hard for turn to ashes, as their informal homes burnt to the ground.
On Sunday 6 February, just before midnight, 14 informal houses were destroyed in what has been alleged to be a case of arson.
According to Councillor Thobani Patrick Mooi of Ward 5, it is alleged that the break-up of a couple turned ugly when the former girlfriend set her ex’s informal dwelling alight.
Most of the residents were sleeping when the fire started, but were luckily alerted quickly enough by neighbours for them to escape unharmed.
“The Drakenstein Municipality came to help the residents affected with building material to rebuild their homes, food and clothes, for which they are very thankful.”
The victims of the fire say they feel stranded and lost as they have lost all of their belongings.
“It is not just a shack that burnt down,” one resident said. “It’s our home, our belongings, our family photos, identity documents, it’s all gone. Can you imagine how it feels to have to start over with nothing? How do I make food for my kids that have to go to school? And school clothes also need to be purchased.”
According to Mooi the community members know the alleged perpetrator and they warned her not to set foot near the area again. Mooi said that the alleged perpetrator however denies that she had anything to do with the fire.
Drakenstein Municipality would not respond to the allegations of arson and said that the cause of the fire is still unknown.
