Emergency Measures to Help Fire Victims in Joe Slovo Informal Settlement

The Western Cape Provincial Government has instituted a raft of emergency humanitarian measures to assist families whose houses were devastated by a fire at Joe Slovo informal settlement earlier today.

Approximately 450 families lost homes and possessions in the fire that swept through the informal settlement from 2am this morning.

Western Cape MECs for Social Development and Local Government, Ms Zodwa Magwaza and Mr Pierre Uys, visited the scene of the disaster soon after the flames had been doused.

Magwaza told fire victims that she had taken steps to ensure food was prepared for affected families immediately on hearing of the disaster early today. An emergency feeding scheme had been put in place, begining with a cooked lunch today. The feeding scheme would endure for three days.

Ms Magwaza also ordered the delivery and distribution of blankets, clothing and nappies for babies to all affected families by close of business today; and announced that R500 per family would be made available to alleviate the crisis in the short-term.

MEC Uys said the Department of Local Government set aside an annual budget of R6m to provide starter kits for families who fall victim to shack fires. The Province appointed municipalities as its starter kit distribution agents to speed up the response time.

Joe Slovo fire victims would be receiving starter kits to begin to rebuild their lives today.

Some residents of the Joe Slovo informal settlement have resisted moving out of the area to make way for the construction of formal housing. Joe Slovo is one of the sites targeted for the development of integrated human settlements by N2 Gateway Pilot Project.

Thousands of former Joe Slovo families who opted to move to temporary accommodation in Delft have subsequently taken ownership of free two-bedroom homes in Delft.

For Enquiries:

Cobus Grobler
Media Liaison Office (MLO)
Minister of Local Government
Tel: 021 483 5327

Lungi Mbude
Media Liaison Office (MLO)
Minister of Social Development
Cell: 083 641 9694