Emergency relief efforts under way after fire displaces 43 households in Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg — The Msunduzi Municipality said 43 households were displaced after a fire swept through the Mkhondeni/ Shorts Retreat Informal Settlement (well known as Sacca) on Saturday.
Msunduzi Municipality acting manager Nelisiwe Ngcobo said relief efforts were under way to assist those families affected.
“Households were provided with emergency relief materials in the form of two blankets, two mattresses, and one food parcel, per household. There is still an urgent need for relief for affected families. The need for humanitarian relief and emergency aid remains a priority to assist affected households to cope as they attempt to restore their sense of normality,” Ngcobo said.
Ngcobo said the fire caused extensive damage to the informal dwellings.
There have been no injuries nor fatalities reported thus far. The settlement is located in ward 37.
Ngcobo said that the municipality is in constant communication with the District, Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), National Department of Human Settlements and other critical stakeholders to provide rapid response to all affected communities.
Ngcobo said that charitable institution(s) and person(s) are encouraged to assist with providing relief materials, such as; alternative shelters, food supplies, blankets, sponges, clothes, plastic sheeting, trauma counselling; and application of official documents.
“The municipality continues administering the initial basic assessment processes and verification as part of the incident management process. A comprehensive beneficiary list will be finalised upon the completion of the initial assessment,” Ngcobo said.
The list is expected to be submitted to the uMgungundlovu District Municipality, Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), Department of Social Development, South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Department of Human Settlements, humanitarian NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders for further interventions.
Ngcobo said this will ensure that affected families receive the necessary support towards restoring their lives to a semblance of normalcy.
uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) coordinator for the Moses Mabhida District, Ntuthuko Mkhize said the families were left homeless and desperate for assistance.
According to Mkhize response from government departments has been slow.
“This is a blatant disregard for human dignity. Our indigenous people are being treated like second-class citizens,“ he added.
Mkhize said the needs of the affected families were urgent. He said they require a safe place to sleep, warm clothing, food, and access to basic facilities such as showers and toilets.
“Shockingly, the provincial disaster management warehouse—filled with supplies—is located in Mkhondeni, not far from the settlement. Yet, it remains untouched while victims suffer,” Mkhize said.
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