'Starter kits' To Be Provided to Mbekweni, Paarl Fire Victims

Today on 3 January, Western Cape Human Settlements Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela, and Provincial Treasury Minister Ivan Meyer, visited the Mbekweni Informal Settlement in Paarl where more than 500 families were affected by fire that raged through the area.

The Western Cape Ministers were joined by officials from the Department of Human Settlements, Drakenstein Municipality, the Ward Councillor and Community Leaders to attend to immediate relief and a re-setting plan for the fire victims. More than 100 structures were damaged in the fire that started in the early hours of Wednesday, 2nd January. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

“As government we are discussing the re-settling plan for the people of Mbekweni and, more importantly, to immediately provide the affected families with material. Some people have already started to re-build their shacks so that their spaces are not lost to outsiders” commented Minster Madikizela.

Drakenstein Municipality has been clearing the area of rubble and debris, as well as assisting the community with meals and access to essential services. The Department will be delivering emergency housing material (ie. starter kits) by tomorrow, 4th January, to assist residents rebuild their homes as soon as possible. Minister Madikizela added that longer-term plans for the area will also be reviewed.