DSD social workers to assist fire devastated Khayelitsha family

The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) will continue to assist the remaining members of a Khayelitsha family which lost 8 family members in a fire early this morning.

Social workers were dispatched early this morning, and made contact with the remaining family members who were still at the scene of the fire.

Trauma counselling was offered to the family, and our teams have compiled information to assist the family with accessing Social Relief of Distress grants and burial assistance from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).

We are concerned at allegations made by community members of this being a suspected arson attack, and are calling on the South African Police Services (SAPS) to investigate. Tragically, the fire left 8 people dead;

• 1 female (60),

• 1 male (44),

• 1 male (29),

• 1 female (14),

• 1 boy (9),

• 1 boy (7),

• 1 boy (7),

• 1 girl (2).

Social workers will provide ongoing trauma and bereavement counselling to assist the family through this difficult time.