Marathon Informal Settlement residents received new shacks after a fire gutted their shelters and left one person dead on July 17.

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The new shelters were provided by the Ekurhuleni Department of Human Settlement.

The cause of the fire remains unknown but it was previously reported that it originated from the deceased’s shack.
Clr Geoffrey Mthembu of Ward 21 and ward committee leaders visited the victims of the fire.

Some residents were still destitute, seeking refuge in neighbours’ houses.

Goodwill Khumalo told the GCN on August 4 that he remains hopeful that relief will be provided.

“We still need clothes and house items like beds, stoves, food and toiletries,” said Khumalo.

“The building of the shacks was ongoing and we are hoping to settle in by next week and no later than August 8,” he said on Thursday.

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“We have assisted the victims to get relief. SASSA has committed to giving the residents an amount of R1 900 once they have applied,” said Mthembu.

“The residents can make affidavits to get assistance with their documentation at the Home Affairs,” Mthembu said.

Willem Hemise, the deceased, was buried in Limpopo a week after the incident.