The City of Johannesburg seeks a long-term solution after Alex fire incidents

ALEXANDRA– Pemla Mayela said the City provided them with only three temporary tents to use while they were waiting for the Department of Housing to come back to them.


The residents of 703 Old Pretoria Road Informal Settlement in Wynberg has described the three tents provided by the municipality as a shame and insult.

This was after more than 70 families lost all their valuables in the shacks fire incident on 28 March.

The community leader who was also a victim of the fire, Pemla Mayela, said the City provided them with only three temporary tents to use while they were waiting for the City’s Department of Housing to provide them with a temporary place where they can build shacks while waiting for their RDP houses.

She said, “The City officials came here to inspect the extent of fire damage. They promised to come back to us during the cause of the week to tell us where we will be relocated to after they recommended that we move from here.

“With a number of families who lost their houses here, the City said 11 families had to share one tent which is an insult.”

Pelma Mayela at the site where her shack was built. Photo: Nduduzo Nxumalo

Communications officer at the City’ s Department of Housing, Buntukazi Xuba said the City’s different department were working tirelessly to sort out the issue of 703. “The department has been on-site and is aware of the needs of the victims of the fire.

“Our sister department, Emergency Management Services, has also been on the ground supplying the victims with tents, food and blankets and other necessities. We have requested the national and provincial departments for assistance with material for rebuilding the temporary structures (shacks) while we seek a more long-term solution.”

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