Dideka Njemla24 December 2024 | 15:36

Informal settlement fire: CoCT scrambling to relieve 132 homeless people ahead of Christmas

The City of Cape Town's Disaster Risk Management Centre’s post-fire assessment revealed that 53 structures were destroyed.

Informal settlement fire: CoCT scrambling to relieve 132 homeless people ahead of Christmas

Picture: Pixabay

CAPE TOWN - Authorities in Cape Town have confirmed that 132 people have been left without a roof over their heads at the Wag n Bietjie informal settlement in Strand after a fire on Tuesday morning.

The city’s Disaster Risk Management Centre (DRMC) post-fire assessment revealed that 53 structures were destroyed.

The DRMC's Sonica Lategan says the fire also damaged power lines, toilets and taps.  

"The DRMC has forwarded requests for relief to SASSA [South African Social Security Agency] and has requested assistance from other relevant city departments and external stakeholders, including Home Affairs. We will also put out a request to NGO [non-governmental organisation] partners to provide humanitarian relief in the interim.”