​The City’s Disaster Risk Management, Solid Waste and Informal Settlements Management teams have been hard at work providing assistance to those who have been affected. The verification of the fire-affected for the distribution of the fire kits has been completed and the site is being cleared from the debris before the enhanced kits can be handed out. The most recent fire occurred in the Dontse Yake and Ibhayi areas of Imizamo Yethu. Most of the area has been electrified. The previous fire in July 2020, which affected 24 structures, occurred in the Mandela Park area of Imizamo Yethu, which was also electrified.

Importantly, the terrain is very steep and rocky and difficult to work in. The unplanned nature of the expanding settlement means it is very densely populated without sufficient access for basic and emergency services. The debris is therefore being removed by hand, carried down the mountain to be loaded onto the trucks that will cart it away. Needless to say, this will take some time to complete.

‘City teams are doing their very best to finish the required work so that the enhanced fire kits can start to be transported up the mountain and handed out to the verified beneficiaries over the next day or two. The City again asks residents and the leadership in the community to be vigilant and not to allow the erection of structures without access ways and firebreaks, as happens constantly. Structures are not supposed to be erected less than 1,5 m apart to reduce the risk and rate of fire and its spread.

‘After the large fire in 2017, the City had plans to introduce a so called superblock configuration with proper road access and designated areas where fire hydrants would be installed, among other services. The City moved with great speed to bring relief to residents. Unfortunately, some of the community leaders and groupings in the larger community did not agree to this approach and opposed us in court. These planned roads would have been completed by now if we were allowed to proceed with the upgrading plans and innovative super blocking initiative. This would have helped to prevent exactly these type of disaster conditions when fires break out. There is currently only one access road through Imizamo Yethu and access is very challenging for the City’s emergency and basic services in a timeous fashion due to congestion on the road. The City implores all to support it in its plans to upgrade the area and also to prevent the further unlawful occupation of sites in this area, which continues to make things worse,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi.

The City’s enhanced fire kits consist of 25 zinc sheets; 14 wooden poles which are fire-treated; three packets of nails; a door; door hinges; a window frame and a window. These quality materials provide immediate shelter to affected families. The City was the first in South Africa to provide this level of humanitarian assistance to fire and flood victims.

Emergencies can be reported to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialling 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.

Should members of the public wish to make a donation to those affected, they may drop off non-perishable goods and essential personal items for adults and babies at:
• Roeland Street Fire Station: 86 Roeland Street, Gardens
• Hout Bay Fire Station: 162 Hout Bay Main Road, Hout Bay

For more information, please visit /explore-and-enjoy/see-all-city-facilities/our-service-facilities/fire-stations

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