LANSDOWNE
41 Induland Cres. Lansdowne Ind. Since 1998
Supplier of a wide range of disposable packaging • All types of Paper, Plastic bags • Cake, Pizza, Party boxes • Serviettes, Garage, Toilet rolls • Cling, Bubble, Lunch wrap • Cutlery, Straws, Heatsealers
• Cups, Tubs, Lids • Fomo Trays, Plates • Foil Trays, Rolls • Platters, Domes • Detergents, etc
Tel: 021 691 8811 • Cell: 081 513 3152 E-mail: info@carlierpackaging.co.za
Free delivery
Conditions apply X1WJ4PB5-QK230221
TUESDAY 23 February 2021 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | Email: post@peoplespost.co.za | Website: www.peoplespost.co.za
@ThePeoplesPost
People’s Post
Mayor Dan Plato accompanied by ward 48 councillor Magadien Davids and other officials, visited the victims of a fire that broke out in Hadji Ebrahim informal settlement. The officials took food parcels and other relief for affected families.
BELGRAVIA
Relief for fire victims SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS SAMANTHA.LEE@PEOPLESPOST.CO.ZA @SAMANTHA_LEE121
A
devastating fire that swept through the Hadji Ebrahim informal settlement in Belgravia on Sunday 14 February is still under investigation. The fire saw 31 wood and iron structures destroyed, leaving 123 people displaced and claimed the life of a man. But fires of this kind are not uncommon. Mayco member for human settlements Malusi Booi says the City has spent more than R100 million on fire relief for victims of fires in informal settlements. “The City has spent approximately
R106 million over the previous three financial years compared to R169 million in total over the preceding decade. “This shows significant increase in costs due to the substantial unplanned growth in existing settlements and in the formation of new informal settlements,” says Booi. City officials, including disaster management teams, were deployed to the scene to assist the fire victims. Last week, mayor Dan Plato, provincial minister for social development Sharna Fernandez and other officials visited the informal settlement. Plato also handed over various staple food items to victims. “Every instance of fire is assessed and a specific approach is developed as all instan-
ces will have unique circumstances. “The City enables and facilitates soft relief, such as donations, site clearing, verification and assessments for assistance,” says Booi. The City is also appealing to residents to assist the fire victims with social relief in the form of food parcels, blankets, baby packs, clothing and building material. Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City of Cape Town’s fire and rescue services, says various departments are offering ongoing fire safety awareness in areas prone to fires. “A number of City departments conduct ongoing fire safety awareness and education programmes, including the fire and rescue service, disaster risk management centre
and the human settlements directorate,” he says. But, he adds: “Any area is vulnerable to fire, particularly where precautionary measures that can be instituted are not adhered to. “This includes not maintaining fire breaks, the construction of structures too close to one another, and also disregard for fire safety practices in the home – in spite of ongoing education and awareness campaigns by the City.” V In case of an emergency or fire, call 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone. V To make donations to aid the victims, contact subcouncil 17 manager Christa Liebenberg on 021 444 0500, 084 629 3330 or christa.liebenberg@capetown.gov.za.
Basic Savings
X1WJVDPW-QK230221