City gets go-ahead for immediate shelter solutions for Masiphumelele fire victims; rebuilding process to get underway
31 December 2020
The City of Cape Town initiated a local state of disaster on 18 December 2020, a day after the fire, to source funding for rebuilding and the restoration of services. The City of Cape Town has continued to engage National Government on the interim solutions to address the immediate needs of the Masiphumelele community. The City can now, under the direction of national government, begin implementing the immediate solutions as soon as possible for the more than 1100 households impacted by the fire. The most vulnerable, which includes the elderly and disabled, will be prioritised.
The City was yesterday asked by the Minister for Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu, to provide an update on the proposed immediate interim solutions for the Masiphumelele fire victims. Minister Sisulu decided that shelter solutions for the affected should begin to be implemented within the next week, if all goes according to plan. In addition, the long-term development plans have been finalised as led by National Government, which has since made funding available for services in the fire-affected area.
The City empathises with those affected while the solutions are finalised. While we respect the right of people to protest peacefully, we do not condone the violent protests that occurred in the area on Tuesday, 29 December 2020. The City continues to monitor the situation.
This week, the City, through Executive Mayor Dan Plato’s office, distributed 1 134 food parcels, 1 134 mattresses and 1 134 blankets to the affected, during a visit to the Masiphumelele community. The food parcels, consisting of non-perishable items, are to feed a family of four for two weeks. This is in addition to the generous donations received from the public and organisations distributing relief. The City thanks all organisations and members of the public for their generous donations to the Masiphumelele community. The City will continue efforts to ensure the well-being of those affected by the fire.
The City is committed to ensuring that the immediate solutions for the Masiphumelele community are implemented as instructed, as quickly as possible. More work remains to be done at Masiphumelele and we urge the community to please be patient while the City, Western Cape Government and National Government start with the implementation within the next week.
A multi-agency and department response has been ongoing at the site to ensure an urgent response to the residents’ plight:
Solid Waste Management Department officials have cleared the affected site.
The City’s Informal Settlements Management Department has registered all fire-affected heads of household thus far. All the members of the households have been verified as well. This process has been completed. The Informal Settlements Management Department continues to assist with queries on site. The registration process includes special assistance to medically vulnerable people who are in need of medication that has been destroyed in the fire and assistance to the elderly.
There is still an appeal to members of the public to please donate essential items such as blankets, baby food, nappies, baby milk and non-perishable food to Living Hope in Masiphumelele.
To donate, please contact Living Hope which is coordinating the relief efforts: 082 465 9067. The City thanks all organisations and members of the public for their donations and assistance.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
