settlement
11 March 2009
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 02h00 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, beginning 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 R6 million 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
Issued by: Department of Local Government and Housing, Western Cape
Provincial Government
11 March 2009
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government (http://www.capegateway.gov.za)