“It is not the first time that such an incident has occurred; if we could only get electricity and have a ward councillor who is active in dealing with the issues of the community,” he says.
Mohlala says providing the community with electricity is the only solution to preventing shack fires, and appeals to the ward councillor to be more involved in resolving community issues.
Community member Lawrence Matlhobogwane says he has been living in Windmill Park for 14 years.
“Since I’ve been living here there have been many unreported shack fires and deaths,” he points out.
Matlhobogwane says the councillor has given nothing but empty promises.
He adds that each shack was asked to contribute R100 towards the installation of electricity, but, to date, there has been no progress.
“There is no service delivery; the only thing that has been successfully implemented is the collection of rubbish,” he says.”
“We want houses, toilets and electricity.”
The area where the shack fire broke out on Saturday, June 21, falls under ward 99, which is run by Clr Claude Mabaso.
Mabaso says he is aware of all the problems community members have been facing since 2011 and that, where there are shacks, there are always problems.
“We need to find a way of addressing the issue of shacks; a place has been identified where the Holomisa shack dwellers will be relocated,” he explains.
He is busy with this process of relocation, with the Department of Human Settlements.
In response to the allegations of a lack of service delivery, Mabaso says the community should work with government and not against it, and that there will always be people complaining who don’t know what is taking place behind the scenes.
The councillor has extended his condolences to the family of the children.
“My heart is breaking and, as government, we are doing all we can to assist,” he adds.
Mabaso says the mother’s shack will be rebuilt.
Dawn Park SAPS spokesperson Charles Tshabalala says the mother of the two boys killed in the shack fire has been charged with negligence, according to the Child Protection Act. – @TumeloBoksburg
