Maitland fire leaves 248 asylum seekers, undocumented migrants homeless

A devastating fire broke out near a cemetery in Maitland, Cape Town, on Thursday, destroying the makeshift homes of at least 248 people, including women and children. 

Ward councillor Cheslyn Steenberg confirmed that emergency services responded swiftly, but the blaze consumed the entire marquee.

"Even though we as a community advocated for the removal of the tent, many of us, having a bit of humanity in our hearts, did not wish for this to happen to the people occupying that particular tent and calling it home for a very, very long time."

Steenberg said the cause of the fire remains under investigation, with conflicting accounts suggesting either a cooking accident or a possible act of arson.

The site, which housed asylum seekers and undocumented migrants involved in ongoing eviction and deportation disputes with the City of Cape Town and national departments, had recently been the subject of a High Court order allowing eviction notices to be served.

Steinberg described the situation as 'peculiar', saying the fire now presents authorities with 'a fertile opportunity to deport the occupants'.

"The challenge we are now sitting with is the alternative accommodation, but Home Affairs will be coming in this morning to assist and see how they can assist with that as well. But I think in terms of the eviction application itself, that should be ongoing just in case a rebuilding takes place, and reoccupation then takes place and then recreates a bigger problem.

"I think we should allow Home Affairs to come in and engage us on the matter and take it from that point forward.

The City’s Disaster Risk Management unit, along with the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers, has provided food, water, and temporary relief overnight.

To listen to Steenberg in conversation with CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit, click below: