Egoli residents call for housing help
A fire destroyed 43 shacks and left 108 people destitute in Egoli.
Image: Picture: Structure
Residents of Egoli informal settlement in Philippi are desperately crying out for housing.
A fire in March left 108 people homeless and fed-up residents protested from Wednesday May 7 to Saturday May 10 hoping their call for service delivery would be heard.
Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City's Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed that the fire took place at 5.30am on March 15. He said 43 shacks were damaged.
“The officer in charge of the Ottery crew was assaulted – she was hit with a blunt object on her back, but she continued working despite the discomfort. The fire was extinguished at around 9.20am and the cause has not been identified as yet,” said Mr Carelse.
Ottery community leader Keith Blake said he contacted his acquaintances to help Egoli residents with decent building materials after noticing that they had been trying to rebuild homes with pieces salvaged from the flames. The residents include the elderly, disabled and children. He organised planks, window frames, nails and screws from his contacts and they also managed to deliver the materials to Egoli.
Mr Blake said it was easy to get food for the fire victims as he contacted Beryl Williams, a community worker who responded with provisions.
The poor building materials caught the eye of Keith Blake when he delivered food for the fire victims.
Image: Picture: Supplied
Mr Blake said he and the Ottery Boyz MCC also served the residents pickled fish, bread and Easter eggs as part of their annual Easter initiative.
Mr Blake met Abe Fransman, an Egoli community leader for over 30 years.
Keith Blake asked his contacts for help and they provided planks, wooden frames, nails and screws for some of the Egoli fire victims to rebuild their homes.
Image: Picture: Supplied
Mr Fransman, 61, told Southern Mail he had been fighting for housing for the community of Egoli for as long as he lived at the informal settlement. “The problem is that houses get burnt as people use illegal electricity and the recent fire destroyed many shacks. Two people were injured. A man burnt his hand and another man burnt his arm.”
Mr Fransman said the fire victims are still struggling to put a roof over their heads. "Some stay at a nearby church and others stay in a tent or with families."
Elton Jansen, Ward 43 councillor, said building starter kits are no longer in the City’s budget, but a request was submitted to the Human Settlements department.
“After Disaster Risk Management assessed the damages, a request was submitted for starter kits. Our regional manager confirmed that they made a request for the kits to the National Government, but no response has been received.”
To donate any building materials, contact Mr Blake at 073 877 6207.