Burgershoop camp fire: Homeless residents lose everything

Residents living on the far side of Krugersdorp West continue to face hardship, homelessness, extreme poverty and harassment.

This after their informal tented camp near Harlequins Rugby Club went up in flames during the late hours of July 5. As a result, at least eight tents were completely burnt to the ground leaving roughly 25 people with no shelter.

According to Mogale City Ward 20 councillor Mark Trump, a case of arson has been opened and further investigations will follow.

• Also read: Burgershoop tent camp burns to the ground

The Krugersdorp News visited the camp with many residents saying they had settled in their tents for the night to avoid the severe cold weather when a raging fire suddenly swept through the camp. Their tents, clothing, food, and other belongings caught fire instantly.

Resident Tshepo Patane said the blaze came from the direction of the rugby club. Initially, he and another resident tried to jump over the fence of the club to put out the fire, however, the smoke and heat were overwhelming which prevented them from intervening. He further claims that he tried to call for help, however, the people he saw on the rugby fields refused to assist.

“When the fire broke out, we tried to warn people at the club and asked for help but we were threatened and told to leave,” Patane said.

Simone de Bryn, a resident who has been living in the camp for three years, added she is still traumatised when recalling what happened. She is also one of many claiming this was not the first time a fire occurred.

“There are five tents that burnt down and eight were damaged. There are at least 17 people in the camp who lost clothes, blankets and food. Luckily nobody got injured or lost their lives but it could have been worse because we have had to endure fires for years before this one.”

Besides their hardships, most try to put bread on the table by collecting glass which they sell to recycling vendors, but it’s often not enough.

Daniel de Bryn has also been at the camp for three years and said he walks to several different parts of town digging into waste to find anything he can sell to provide for himself and his family. However, Daniel added that it has its fair share of challenges as well.

”I not only speak for myself but other collectors as well. We often get judged and harassed by residents when all we are trying to do is make a living. We often get accused of trying to steal or being violent and that is never the case.”

According to another resident Patricia Grotjohn, the conditions of the camp have made it difficult.

“I had to make difficult decisions to ensure the safety of my four-month-old baby. I have lived here throughout my pregnancy but after giving birth, I had to leave the camp to live with family in Krugersdorp North. My child is with them at the moment and although they too are struggling, it is much better living conditions as compared to living here. Being separated from my child is hard but as a mother, it would be wrong to raise her here.”

Darrell Roberts, a business owner with a shop near the camp, said that he has been working and assisting these residents by providing new tents and other means to restore their dignity, however, more assistance is needed.

If you are willing to assist, contact him on 081 766 5657.

The News has reached out to the Harlequins and the police for comment on the matter, however, no response was received at the time of print. Their feedback will be published once received.