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- Two separate fires in Kensington and Factreton left over 100 people displaced.
- On Tuesday 6 February, more than 16 informal structures were gutted in the 18th Avenue informal settlement.
- Two days later (Thursday), 50 people were left displaced and one person sustained injuries when their informal homes went up in flames in Factreton.
Two separate fires in Kensington and Factreton left over 100 people displaced.
On Tuesday 6 February, more than 16 informal structures were gutted in the 18th Avenue informal settlement. Two days later (Thursday), 50 people were left displaced and one person sustained injuries when their informal homes went up in flames in Factreton.
René de Wee, a resident of the 18th Avenue informal settlement, was one of the first people who spotted the fire.
“The fire started in a neighbour’s home. He was sitting outside. We started running but couldn’t do anything or save anything. We lost everything in the fire. I am unemployed, we now have nowhere to sleep at night.”
Another resident, Patricia Lawson, said: “This was our home and now we have nothing. Our babies have to sleep out in the cold with us. I am heartbroken.”
Evelyn Jaftha (64) said she has been living there for 20 years and said it was heart wrenching to see everything go up in flames.
“My tears started flowing. I lost everything I worked so hard for. I am a pensioner and my husband gets a disability grant.”
She said if they had access to basic services, such as running water, they could’ve saved some of their belongings.
“We had no access to water close by. This could have been prevented or there could have been less damage if we had water. We must walk far to the water standpipe.”
Illona Crouch, former committee member for the informal settlement, echoed Jaftha’s sentiments and said the area was divided into four zones, but they only have two taps to serve the entire community.
Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City’s fire service, said 26 firefighters attended the fire in Lugmag Avenue.
“The first arriving officer from Epping Fire Station immediately requested additional resources as there were multiple informal structures burning,” he said. “A total of eight firefighting resources from Epping, Goodwood, Brooklyn, Wynberg and Belhar were on the scene. One person sustained a laceration to her left leg and was treated on scene. The cause of the fire is unknown.”
Cheslyn Steenberg, Ward 56 councillor, described the fires as devastating.
“I am at a loss for words of the devastation,” he said.
“My office has been able to assist with food. Next week we will assist with IDs, birth and marriage certificates.”
Responding to residents’ pleas for service delivery, the councillor said: “A week ago, I met with the steering committee of the informal settlement, the Ndabeni Trust (whom the land belongs to), and the City of Cape Town and we discussed bringing fully-fledged services to that site.
“The water standpipes will always be a problem. I, unfortunately, cannot answer that because I was not the councillor at the time it was installed.
“They should make land available and build houses for these people. We cannot be giving people services and not give them a decent home or a plot so that they can build a home. I am not in favour of permanent services to any informal settlement; I am rather for building a decent home.”
To donate, contact Steenberg on 083 543 1344.
