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More than 1,000 houses were razed by the fire and some 6,000 people lost everything in last week’s fire.
Masiphumelele residents rescue what they can after a fire on December 18, 2020. Image: Kevin Brandt / EWN
CAPE TOWN – Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato believes the devastating Masiphumelele fire was deliberately started by ground invaders.
More than 1,000 houses were razed by the fire and some 6,000 people lost everything in last week’s fire.
On Monday, Plato said preliminary investigations suggested that potential ground invaders may have started the fire by setting the reeds on fire as they tried to clear the ground.
“Criminals don’t care about people’s belongings or livelihoods.”
Plato said it was the early days of the investigation and they expected community members to help them gather information.
“Either way, the City of Cape Town will support the people of Masiphumelele and we would like to receive accurate information regarding the alleged arson.”
City crews are still working to clean up the fire-ravaged site so people can begin to rebuild.
But they are also waiting for the national government to release the budget for the starter packages – the packages of building materials that are given to fire and flood victims to help them rebuild.
On Monday, the Minister for Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu, visited the area. He said there was a plan and that they would not leave the people of Masiphumelele in the lurch.
“First we have to get people out of this situation and put them in decent places. My commitment is that, to the extent possible, I will have to restructure the budget and re-prioritize so that we can address this tragedy.
#Masifumel Minister Sisulu on site this afternoon assessing the situation. KP pic.twitter.com/4lFUW91ZoC
EWN reporter (@ EWN reporter) December 21, 2020
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