Ntuthuzelo Nene24 December 2024 | 5:20

Masiphumelele residents left to pick up pieces of belongings on Christmas Eve after blaze

This was after 82 structures were razed to the ground by a Monday’s blaze, leaving one person injured.

Masiphumelele residents left to pick up pieces of belongings on Christmas Eve after blaze

A City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services fire engine. Picture: @CityofCT/X

CAPE TOWN - Almost 500 people from Masiphumelele near Kommetjie have been left to pick up pieces of what's left of their belongings on the eve of Christmas.

This was after 82 structures were razed to the ground by a Monday’s blaze, leaving one person injured.

ALSO READ: Masiphumelele informal settlement fire: Residents face bleak Christmas

The City of Cape Town will start with its mop-up operations on Tuesday morning.

Humanitarian aid organisation, Gift of the Givers, is also supporting those affected with food, clothes, and blankets.

The organisation's Ali Sablay said some families lost their bonuses, newly bought school uniforms for kids, as well as groceries bought for the Christmas holiday.

"We are grateful that there's no loss of life, no injuries. Of course, there's lots of emotions, lots of scars, people not knowing what they are going to do tomorrow with Christmas belongings completely destroyed, not knowing how they are going to get a roof over their heads for the next few days."