KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube (in yellow T-shirt) and other government officials are pictured during an inspection at a Clairwood informal settlement area where more than 200 structures burnt over the weekend.
More than 200 Clairwood families who lost their homes after a massive fire broke out at an informal settlement over the weekend will be provided with government emergency relief items such as shelter, food and other essential supplies.
On Saturday, the informal dwellings were destroyed by the fire and on Monday KZN premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works Sipho Nkosi visited the site to ascertain the extent of the damages and how they could help those residents.
“On November 10, a fierce fire engulfed the informal settlement in Clairwood, resulting in the destruction of over 200 informal houses. The impact on the residents and the community at large is severe, and the disaster team is assisting the displaced residents,” the provincial government said.
“The government has mobilised resources to provide emergency relief to those affected. Shelter, food, and other essential supplies are being arranged for displaced residents,” it said.
“The Premier will also be meeting with local authorities and emergency services to coordinate a comprehensive response plan.”
Five fire trucks from the eThekwini Fire and Emergency unit were dispatched to extinguish the fire while there were no reported deaths.
Ms Dube-Ncube said the necessary interventions had already started.
“We cannot house them here on this property as it is private property and does not have services. We also can not provide services here so we will have to look at options as to where we can now house them – both temporary and long-term measures,” she said.
“We have also got the Department of Home Affairs on board to assist with new ID applications. We have the municipality and the SAPS working here together to ensure that valid complainants receive the aid. We have a major problem of people from other communities claiming for resources when they don’t even live here. Then the other problem is that there are many shacks that are being rented.
“These residents are intimidated into not registering their accommodation because of shack lords. This is fraud and a criminal act. We are asking you to help us help you. Thousands remain homeless while a certain few are manipulating this system by registering for government accommodation while they have several other properties that they are leasing out. We are asking you to talk up and let us solve this issue so many more people can be proud home-owners instead of renting from shack lords,” said Ms Dube-Ncube.