Mayor: Only fire victims will benefit from new shacks (videos)
'This is a human settlement and we need to make sure the people are given the dignity they deserve.'
The executive mayor of Ekurhuleni, Clr Mzwandile Masina, visited the residents of Max Informal Settlement on Great North Road on Tuesday morning.
The residents are victims of the fire that occurred on Monday evening that engulfed the entire settlement, leaving about 1 000 people, including children, homeless and without their personal belongings.
The aftermath saw the residents trying to salvage what they could in an effort to rebuild their shacks.
Masina told Express the metro needed to help the community rebuild.
Also read:
• Between 300 and 400 shacks destroyed in devastating fire
• BREAKING NEWS: Shacks go up in flames on Great North Rd (videos)
“This is a human settlement and we need to make sure the people are given the dignity they deserve. We have already established a team that will ensure that people will be given food and blankets,” said Masina.
“We will also register the residents for the purpose of rebuilding because we don’t want people who don’t reside here benefiting from this. Our social workers are on it and we are confident that we should be able to clear the area in no time and ensure the rebuilding starts.”
Masina also said three community halls in Kempton Park were made available for the community members and some of them slept at some of the halls.
Gift of the Givers, Red Cross and members of various churches were also seen at the settlement assisting and donating clothes, food and blankets throughout the day.
The damage caused by last night’s fire is devastating, thank you to all EMPD, EMS, Church and NGO officials that have come out to assist this community. #PomonaFire pic.twitter.com/OKDkcHTUeo
— Mzwandile Masina (@mzwandileMasina) October 1, 2019
