AbM Western Cape: Fire at XA Settlement

More than 25 people yesterday were left home less after the fire destroyed not only their shacks but almost everything that they owned.

The fire started just after eight last night (Saturday; 02/10/08) and six shacks burned down, people could not save their belongings at it was very difficult to to that because the area does not have streets in between and it is very dense, those who manage they only manage to save small things such as stoves, irons, kettles, DVD and televisions, those that were at work they could not even save their Identity Documents.

The cause of the fire is still unknown, the community executive committee is still investigating what might cause the fire as it started from the house which was empty and the owner was not at home at that time and there was nothing that was left unattended by at the house where the fire started.

XA has been existing for more than 15 years and still people does not have proper house, still living at shacks, not even a single toilet for people, the two tapes that are working are broken and it is very difficult for the municipality just to come and fix the tapes, the lack of tapes at the area made it also very difficult for people to fight the fire as the fire fighters only responded after 2 hours whereas are situated next to the are, they are just 1 kilometre away from XA.

For pictures please visit www.khayelitshastruggles.com

For more information please call:

Ziyanda at 078 041 3541
or
the Secretary of the community committe
078 941 8347

XA informal settlement is working with Abahlali baseMjondolo Western Cape and is one of 15 informal settlements that will be marching with ABM Western Cape on the 22nd October 2008 to the offices of local municipality at Khayelitsha Stocks and Stocks.

For more information about the march please call Mzonke Poni ABM Western Cape Chairperson at 073 2562 036