Community assists Joe Slovo fire victims
WESTDENE – The Westdene community provides much-needed support and relief to victims of the Joe Slovo fire.
The Westdene Resident’s Association and Westdene Community Patrol helped alleviate the burden carried by Slovo Park Informal Settlement residents, after a fire ravaged the settlement in December last year.
The fire was reportedly caused by a series of unclear events in the middle of the settlement and spread widely when the dispatched fire trucks could not reach the starting point in time, causing a loss of homes and possessions.
The resident’s association called on the community of Westdene to open their hearts and assist by donating non-perishable goods, food, baby food, nappies, and old clothes.
The association and community patrol were responsible for collecting all the donations. In just a couple of hours after putting the call out, they had four vehicles going through to the area’s schools and recreation centre, delivering beds, furniture, clothes, food and R700’s worth of mealie meal.
The fire victims said Slovo Park and Kathtrada informal settlements experience fires, leaving thousands destitute almost every year, especially in December. The Slovo community feels there should be a force that controls the fire regulations enforced in these camps.
Both organisations applauded the cooperative and generous nature of the Westdene community.
Details: The Westdene Resident’s Association, 082 633 5112.
