Nontobeko Mfene shows the burns she received in the fire in Kanana on the weekend. Photo by Masixole Feni.
8 December 2014
Residents of Kanana informal settlement in Gugulethu have blamed power cuts for a fire that left over a hundred people homeless on Friday evening.
Wilfred Solomons-Johannes of the City of Cape Town’s Disaster Management said 46 shacks burned down leaving at least 107 people including 11 children displaced.
Community leader Thuliswa Bulana told GroundUp that there was no electricity when the fire broke out. “Normally the community use candles and paraffin under those circumstances. It is those things that cause lots of fires,” said Bulana.
Residents said the fire began when a shackdweller left the candle light burning and went to the shop. On the way back she found her shack burning with neighbours trying to douse the fire. The fire started at about 8:30pm.
One of the neighbours, Zafika Mxokozeli, said that she saw the fire and rushed to the scene. When Mxokozeli realised that the fire was out of control she ran to her place to try and save her belongings. “We could only save the fridge, TV and a few minor things. Everything else burned to ashes,” she said. Three adults and four children live in her home.
Nontobeko Mfene escaped through flames to rescue her two-year-old son. She was burnt on her left arm and ear. Mfene said she heard a noise outside and was on her way to investigate when she realised there was a fire. “My two-year-old son was asleep. I rushed inside to grab him and took him out,” she said.
Nolusindiso Mvuka said she lost money and shopping stamps she and a group of women were saving money for to buy groceries since the beginning of the year.
Another resident who identified himself by his clan name, Msuthu, said, “Government needs to do something about our situation and provide us with houses. President Zuma was here before elections to do a door-to-door campaign. He said this is not a good area for people to live, but now elections are gone and he has forgotten about us.”
Msuthu said he has been living in Kanana since 1998 and there have been three fires. He said, “Every time we experience a fire disaster we lose everything and have to start afresh. We don’t have clothes. Our children don’t have clothes and in January it’s back to school again. They will need uniforms.”
The City’s Disaster Management said the affected households were provided with hot meals, blankets, back packs and brunch and supper for three days.