Housing department helps rebuild burnt shacks
ALEXANDRA - Residents of Phase One who's shacks were destroyed in a fire last week are rebuilding their shacks with the help of the Housing Department.
Victims of last week’s shack fire in 126 – 11th Avenue’s Phase One section are now living with friends and family while others camp outside near their burnt-out shacks.
There were a total of 46 shacks burnt down and 11 that were damaged. Disaster Management gave the residents food and blankets. Other organisations that donated food, blankets and clothes included Ithlokomeleng Old Age Home, Thusong Youth Centre, Department of Human Development and South African National Civil Organisation.
Thusong also provided accommodation for the children while the South African Social Security Agency donated vouchers in the form of cards worth R1 256 per household to buy groceries. The Housing Department was rebuilding the shacks and also donated new planks and metal sheets. City Power will install electricity.
A resident, Amos Mothwa who is camping outside said, “We have been sleeping here since Friday and we have to make a fire. We have nothing as all our belongings were destroyed in the fire.” Mothwa said he could not use the card provided by the agency as he had no form of identification. “We have been told that we could sleep at East Bank Hall but no one has moved us there,” added Mothwa.
Phase One councillor Chris Mabunda said they had provided a tent for the residents, but they refused it and said it was too cold for them to sleep in a tent. “We also availed East Bank Hall to the residents but they refused because they said it was too far and they would stay with friends and relatives,” he said.
Mabunda thanked everyone that had made donations and hoped that more organisations would help. The new shacks were expected to be complete by Thursday.
