A high level government delegation led by the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Norman Mokoena has visited the families that were affected by a fire that destroyed seven shacks in Mashishing in Thaba Chweu municipality.
MEC Mokoena was accompanied by the MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mr Jabu Mahlangu and the Executive Mayor of Ehlanzeni district municipality, Councillor Khosi Mkhonto. The aim of the visit was to assess and get firsthand experience on the extent of the damage caused by the fire.
During the visit, MECs Mokoena and Mahlangu handed over food parcels and blankets to the affected families. The MECs indicated that government will do its best to assist the victims with their loss.
MEC Mokoena expressed government's condolences to the families of the four people who died in the fire. He further added that the interventions being provided by government were immediate interventions and the department would conduct a detailed assessment to determine what additional assistance will be needed.
"We are here to make sure that we provide food, blankets and alternative accommodation for the victims. We will be engaging other sector departments such as Home Affairs, Social Services and Education to ensure that we provide the affected families with the assistance they need and this includes school uniforms and books for the affected children. We will also be having discussions with the families of the deceased to see what assistance we can provide to them," said Mokoena.
Four people, two adults and two children, died and five families have been left homeless after the fire razed seven shacks to the ground. The affected families have been moved to temporary shelter in a nearby hostel.
They have been provided with food parcels, blankets and clothes. Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire was started by a candle that fell in one of the shacks.
The MECs also thanked the disaster management officials for the rapid response they provided in dealing with the fire. The department will work with other sector departments to address the poor conditions that people living in informal settlements find themselves in.
Contact person:
Simphiwe Kunene
Cell: 082 413 3931
Mpumalanga MEC's visit shack fire victims in Thaba Chweu municipality
Province
