As part of government efforts to provide temporary relief and assist the community to rebuild their lives, the Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini will tomorrow, 13 May 2011 visit and distribute Social Relief of Distress to families affected by recent shack fire in the informal settlement of Masiphumelele near Fish Hoek, Western Cape Province.
“This intervention will bring much-needed relief to the families affected by the disaster, particularly with the winter season approaching," said Minister Dlamini. "Our government remains committed to responding to humanitarian crises such as this one created by the Masiphumelele shack fire. Working with the South African Social Security Agency, all necessary steps have been taken to ensure that all affected families receive some form of relief in the short term," Minister Dlamini added.
It is estimated that about 5,000 residents of the area were left homeless when a fire swept through their informal settlement and destroyed their shacks. The Minister’s visit will begin at Masiphumelele and proceed to Gugulethu where she will donate a wheel chair to Themba Mpetha. Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the Minister’s visit as follows:
Date: 13 May 2011
Time: 10h00
Venue: Masiphumelele, Western Cape
Enquiries:
Abram Phahlamohlaka
Cell: 082 928 6590
