KNYSNA NEWS - Five shacks burned down completely in Khayalethu on Tuesday 20 May, leaving residents destitute.
The residents had no idea of the cause of the fire. They said there was nobody in the house when it started and they just saw smoke coming out of the shack.
They tried to stop the fire, but it spread to other shacks very quickly. One of the victims, Sonwabile Zweni, said firefighters didn't take long to arrive, but the fire moved fast as there was strong wind. "Some people have moved to their families and others to their neighbours," he said.
Left with nothing
Rutendo David Brute and his wife Tatenda Chisindi, both from Zimbabwe, lost everything, including their ID documents and passports. Brute said they were trying to get new documents.
"We have lost everything here, we don't know where to start. We are only left with the clothes that we are wearing now.
"We don't even have relatives here who can assist us. We will appreciate any kind of assistance that is offered. I don't even have my working tools now," said Brute.
Gideon Nelo has found temporary refuge with his neighbours.
"I don't have a place to stay now. I don't even have money to buy building material," he said.
Quick response
Municipal head of communications Christopher Bezuidenhout said the municipality responded promptly to the fire in in Khayalethu.
"Our fire services department was on site to manage and contain the situation. According to our records, five housing units were affected by the blaze," Bezuidenhout said. "Our human settlements department were on site during the incident and engaged with affected residents. At this stage, it appears that some of the affected units may not have been occupied by approved beneficiaries, though this is still being verified."
He said as per municipal policy, certain steps are required before assistance can be given to victims.
A formal fire report must be issued by Knysna Fire Services and affected residents must obtain an affidavit from the police. These steps are crucial to ensure that assistance is provided to genuine victims in need and to prevent the misuse of resources through illegal subletting or other irregularities.
"The municipality prioritises support for the most vulnerable, namely the elderly, persons with disabilities, and military veterans and child-headed households."
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Nine shacks were burnt down in Khayalethu | Knysna-Plett Herald
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