The ministerial delegation and City leadership assessing the extent of the fire that gutted the Dakota Informal Settlement before handing over building material. Insert: About 500 families who were left homeless after a fire ravaged the Dakota Informal Settlement in iSiphingo received building material from the City.
A LIFELINE in the form of building material has been provided by the Municipality to about 500 families who were left homeless after a fire ravaged the Dakota Informal Settlement in iSiphingo on 15 April. Close to a thousand people lost their dwelling structures and belongings which were destroyed in the fire. Affected residents were immediately accommodated at a temporary shelter near Dakota Beach while the site was being cleared.
A ministerial delegation together with City leadership, led by the Minister of Human Settlements Mmamoloko Kubayi, visited the informal settlement to engage with affected residents and to outline long-term solutions to their plight. Part of the interventions provided to residents include the processing of lost documentation by the Department of Home Affairs, health care and psychosocial services, as well as the provision of school uniforms for learners.
Council Speaker Councillor Thabani Nyawose said government is working to bring the lives of the people affected back to normality. He said providing residents with urgent, practical assistance will minimise the lasting physical and emotional effects of the tragedy while enabling them to take back control of their lives. “The delivery of building material will assist the affected residents to rebuild their homes and livelihoods. We will do everything that is necessary to rebuild safe homes and to create a sustainable livelihood for them as a long-term solution,” said Councillor Nyawose.
As part of long-term solutions, there are plans to relocate the residents to identified land in uMkhomazi, which is not far from where they reside currently. This will be a safer and decent place for them to live in. In a true display of unity, all spheres of government, businesses, humanitarian organisations and various stakeholders have all come together to ensure that the affected residents are provided with the support and necessities they need. No fatalities or injuries were reported from the fire.
