Media Release: Anton Bredell Expresses Sympathy Towards Kayamandi Fire Victims

The fire incident in Kayamandi started late last night and fire-fighting teams from the area were all called to deal with it. This fire was so fierce that towards the early hours of the morning the water supply was under severe pressure.

 

The fire is now under control and Disaster Management had a meeting with stakeholders from the Stellenbosch Municipality, the Department of Social Development, Provincial Disaster Management Centre and SASSA at 11:00 today, 15 March 2013 to discuss the incident and the response. 

 

Approximately 600 huts were destroyed by the fire in the early hours of this morning and approximately 2 500 people are affected. Strong Yard and Kuasa halls were made available for accommodation; however only 10 persons made used of this facility as others preferred to stay with family and friends.

 

Two fatalities and one casualty were reported. NGOs have been providing immediate response with meals until lunch time.

 

It was agreed that finalising the beneficiary list was critical to ascertain the amount of people that need social relief. SASSA and Social Development will co-ordinate the social relief and will provide two meals per day (brunch and supper) starting from this evening. The beneficiary list validation / registration will be compiled by Community Development workers and Community Development practitioners, under the leadership of Stellenbosch Municipality's Human Settlements Department.

 

The clean-up operation will commence after 14:00 today and this will be communicated to the community. The municipality will attempt to get contract workers from Kayamandi.

 

The Department of Home Affairs has been placed on standby and it will be requested that they be at the site tomorrow to assist with the registration of identity documents.

Social Development and SASSA will provide baby packs, nappies, school uniforms, toiletries and mattresses, should the need arise.

 

A further meeting was scheduled for 14:00 today.