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The Department of Housing was faced with yet another fire in Kwa Mai Mai informal settlement in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

It is unfortunate that one person was burnt beyond recognition during the blaze, which was caused by illegal electricity connections, whilst another was transported to hospital after she sustained injuries on her body.

The Community Development department has intervened and availed the Hofland Park Recreational Centre to the Housing Department to be used as a temporary shelter for residents who have been displaced as a result of the fire.

Disaster Management has also sourced blankets and non-perishable food, following the fire which has compromised the safety of the building and damaged the infrastructure in which the informal settlement was built.

“We need to demolish this illegal structure which the residents of the informal settlement were residing in. Once we have done that, we will need to determine if we will develop the area or close off the area completely,” said MMC Mabaso. 

The Department will provide interim services to avoid a situation where there’s further illegal connectivity of electricity at a site where we will relocate the displaced. In the next week, the City will be clearing the space.

“There are plans in place to deal with the housing backlog. Unfortunately, things are catching up with us very quickly because of the backlog that has accumulated over many years. Government will simply not be able to provide free housing for everyone, but we will continue to do the best that we can,” said the Executive Mayor Mpho Phalatse.

The good thing though – notwithstanding those that have been displaced – is that the eatery business, which is less than 100m from the business precinct, has not been affected.

Hundreds of patrons often flock to the eatery business to boost the economy, and it would have been devastating to close shop because of the damaged infrastructure due to the fire that ravaged over 250 households. 

The department will communicate any further interventions during the course of this month.

Issued by Member of the Mayoral Committee for Housing Mlungisi Mabaso