Several residents lose homes in Tuesday afternoon Sol Plaatje fire
Community asked to please assist with food, clothing and blanket donations
When the natural elements unleash their power, the force of a caring community is there to push back.
Nine residential units have been gutted by a structural fire that started at roughly midday on Tuesday, August 3, leaving several families homeless. Now destroyed, the flats were home to 18 children and 14 adults who have little left in the way of personal belongings. Thankfully, no injuries were reported and according to City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi, the cause is still a subject of investigations.
Always quick to lend a hand to those in need, members of the Roodepoort community have rushed to the aid of struggling victims less than 24 hours later. Roodepoort Police’s Social Crime Prevention Unit, Victim Friendly Room counsellors and volunteer community members all chipped in to bring relief aid to the Sol Plaatje residents.
“Mr Nicolaas Lekgau and the Youth Brigadiers are busy with a meeting with the affected families, and clothing has been donated by Roodekrans and Helderkloof Neighbourhood Watches. A big thank you to Johnny and Sherril from Care 4 Charity shop who also donated clothing for the displaced families in Sol Plaatje,” said Roodepoort Police spokesperson and chief spearhead of the donation collections, Captain Juanita Yorke.
The residents still have an uphill battle to return to a sense of normality, so should community members wish to assist they may contact Captain Yorke on 082 412 8312 or Roodepoort Community Policing Forum Youth Desk chairman, Nicolaas Lekgau on 068 133 4529. The fire victims are in need of food, clothing or any other useful items that may help them restore their dignity.
