Metro, local church help Kameeldrift shack fire victims
“The city has availed Kameeldrift Hall as alternative accommodation for women and children, while the local church will accommodate men,”
The Tshwane metro and the Seventh-day Adventist church provided temporary accommodation and food to the victims of last week’s Kameeldrift shack fire.
Tshwane MMC for human settlements, Councillor Ofentse Madzebatela, revealed this last Thursday following the fire that, according to community leader Adam Mojela, left more than 100 shacks destroyed during the strong winds.
“In our list, 103 shack owners have reported and registered as fire victims.”
The disaster led to more than 200 people, as per city report, becoming homeless and destitute.
“The city has availed Kameeldrift hall as alternative accommodation for women and children, while the local church will accommodate men,” Cllr Madzebatela said in the statement, adding that city disaster risk management would provide the affected with mattresses.
“I wish to convey my sympathies to the community of Kameeldrift in Region 5, who have been affected by a fire that burned down 95 shacks, affecting 217 people in the process.”
“We would like to thank the Seventh-day Adventist church for preparing food for the victims.”
Kameeldrift resident Tsebe Sandra said the temporary solution was not convincing as she expected a permanent solution to be implemented, such as permanent stands.
“When are we getting our stands?” Sandra said, citing that the situation would repeat itself if their living conditions remained unimproved.
In relation to Sandra’s concern, Cllr Madzebatela said the city has made some significant progress.
“The township establishment application is at an advanced stage, and the service provider is currently sourcing the last outstanding positive comments on the township.”
He said the city was also waiting for the Gauteng department of agriculture and rural development (GDARD) to announce its decision on the Section 24 (G) application.
“The township establishment application can be finalised for approval as soon as these outstanding issues have been resolved.”
He said they intended to start allocating the stands in the current financial year based on the final draft layout.
“We will liaise with GDARD to fast-track the outstanding processes so that we can finalise the relocation.”
He assured the victims that the city would continue providing them with the necessary support.
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