Little help comes in for victims of second settlement fire

Residents of the informal settlement on EP Malan Street in Pomona are unhappy with the metro’s silence regarding their situation as a result of the fire that destroyed their homes.

A fire broke out on October 18 and the blaze quickly ripped through the settlement. This was the second big fire in weeks after the fire that engulfed Max Informal Settlement on Great North Road.

The residents found themselves homeless and without their belongings, including their personal documents, and according to one of the community leaders, Joseph Lephatsa, the metro has done nothing to assist.

“We have to rebuild the shacks ourselves. It is hard as there is still a lot of rubbish from the fire,” said Lephatsa.

“We have been in communication with ward councillor André du Plessis and he has assisted us with clothes and with whatever else he could. Five toilets were also delivered to the settlement since the fire, but nothing else.”

Lephatsa told Express the five toilets have to cater for about 120 people.

“We have residents whose identity and other documents were destroyed and we are struggling to redo these things,” explained Lephatsa.

“I went to home affairs to enquire about the process of reapplying and we were told we have to get a letter from Councillor Du Plessis first before they can come out to the settlement to assist us.

“We are truly saddened at the municipality’s lack of interest in assisting us. Some of the residents are unemployed and buying equipment to rebuild is a mission, even for those who have jobs.

“The other day a water truck arrived, but we couldn’t get much help as most of our buckets got burnt. Thank you to everyone who has helped and reached out to us thus far.”

Du Plessis’ views about the crisis at the settlement were similar to Lephatsa’s.

He questioned the metro’s plans in assisting the displaced residents.

“Thank you for the toilets and water. However, those residents still need food and blankets of which huge stockpiles exist at the Impala Park community centre,” said Du Plessis.

“There are mothers with infants and toddlers who need clothes, medical assistance and shelter. Residents require communication regarding their future.

“They seem to have been forgotten by the metro.”

Du Plessis also wondered whether the residents’ dwellings would be rebuilt. Lephatsa told Express that should they not receive any feedback or assistance from the metro by the end of the week, they intend to gather money to hire a TLB to remove the rubble.