Doornkop building collapse: Survivors to receive temporary shelter, burial assistance

The family of the three individuals who died after a two-storey building collapse in Doornkop, Soweto, will be receiving temporary housing.

The Collen Mashawana Foundation has put its hand up to assist the surviving members of the family by building a temporary structure nearby.

“We have today [Monday] brought mattresses, blankets, food and other requirements to support the family. We have committed to take care of the burial…”

ALSO READ: Grieving Doornkop family seeks assistance to bury three loved ones

This came to light on Monday at the family house where Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero, the MMC for Human Settlements Mlungisi Mabaso and other government officials visited the family to offer their condolences.

On Sunday, Hloniphile Xaba, her daughter and grandchild died when the structure they were living in collapsed.

Three other family members were hospitalised.

JOBURG MAYOR CITES RELOCATION OF RESIDENTS

At the same time, Morero said residents of the informal settlement where the two-storey building collapsed would all be relocated.

Morero told reporters that residents of the Bambai informal settlement would be moved because the area is dolomitic and unsafe for habitation.

According to the Johannesburg Department of Human Settlements, people living in the area were relocated in 2021 when research showed that the area had environmental issues.

Those residents were moved to Braamfischer and Tshepisong.

Following that, a new group of residents occupied the area illegally and have to be relocated again.

“Human Settlements has been busy with a pipeline project where we are looking at relocating those who are eligible, in particular South African citizens who are residing in this area,” said Morero.

He added that the city would assess how it could provide support for the families of the deceased.