EThekwini Deputy Mayor Councillor Zandile Myeni visited the Kennedy Road Informal Settlement to assess the damage and provide support service after it was gutted by fire on Sunday morning. One person died and about 1 000 houses were destroyed following the inferno.

ETHEKWINI Deputy Mayor Councillor Zandile Myeni and COGTA MEC Bongiwe Sithole Moloi visited the Kennedy Road Informal Settlement in Clare Estate on 17 July. This is after the informal settlement was gutted by fire on Sunday morning leaving over 1 000 houses destroyed and about 2 400 people affected. 

The aim of the visit was to assess the damage and to provide support services. One fatality of a 25-year-old man was reported and four people who were left injured are receiving medical assistance in hospital. “Municipal Disaster Management teams have conducted assessments and have organised the provision of humanitarian support for the affected families. 

In addition to their homes, residents lost belongings, legal documentation as well as other essentials,” said Deputy Mayor Myeni.Non-Government Organisations such as Gift of the Givers, Meals on Wheels and Red Cross have worked closely with the City. Together, they have managed to assist with the provision of hots meals, mattresses, blankets, baby hampers and mobile toilets. Water tankers have also been made available. The City’s Human Settlements Unit is currently capturing the beneficiary list for the provision of building materials. Affected residents have been housed in the local community hall.