Diepsloot families get a helping hand

According to Robert Mulaudzi, spokesperson for the City of Johannesburg’s emergency service department, the first fire was on 5 September in extension 1. The fire was a result of a paraffin stove which exploded. The second fire, which occurred on 10 September, left a family of five homeless. Mulaudzi said the second fire was also a result of a faulty paraffin stove. “People must please buy the regulated stoves,” he urged. He said the department had found that the regulated stoves were almost double the price, but that in the long run, it was worth getting the real thing.

He also said families should use glass jars instead of beer bottles as candle holders, as they were more stable.

Insurance company Auto & General, which has offices that border Diepsloot, felt that they needed to help. General manager of Auto & General marketing, Kevin Kirby said, “We felt that it was our duty to assist our neighbours during this terrible ordeal. To lose everything in a fire is indeed a tragedy and we hope that our donation will make it a bit easier for the families involved.”

He added, “With a few more weeks of the cold still left to endure, we urge South Africans, especially those living in informal settlements, to be vigilant and not to be negligent with anything flammable to prevent dangerous fires.”