Following a fire that broke out at the Booysens informal settlement last weekend, the City of Joburg has committed to rebuilding homes of affected victims.
City of Joburg Mayoral spokesperson Mlimandlela Ndamase said the cause of the blaze is still unknown and investigations are continuing. He said it swept shacks and affected many structures such as factories. Firefighters and emergency services rushed to the scene to battle the flames.
“After it burnt down some shacks at Booysens informal settlement, we promise to provide building materials for thousands of residents that were affected. On Friday city destructed 600 homes and numbers may increase as relief efforts proceed. Different departments from the city have been working with communities to provide houses. It will also do the same in Booysens to support families because they need material to start reconstructing their homes. This fire left many residents devastated and without a roof on their heads”, said Ndamase.
Johannesburg Gift of the Givers project manager Emily Thomas said they visited the settlement on Saturday to give people hot meals, baby porridge, water, blankets and diapers.
“400 shacks got destroyed and left 2 000 people homeless. Disaster management provided shelter for women and children. We will supply them with mattresses, food parcels, hygiene packs, stationery and school uniforms”, said Thomas.
