Monday, June 13, 2011
Abahlali baseMjondolo Movement Press Statement
Another Shack Fire Destroys Families' Homes in Siyanda
South Africans are still recovering from the heavy rains that caused a lot of damage and flooding especially to poor communities. In Siyanda people have to deal with fire as well as flood. The Shange family, the Buthelezi family and one other family have all been left homeless after a fire that destroyed three shacks in Siyanda B Settlement on Saturday, 11 June 2011 during the broad day light.
The fire is said to have started from a locked shack whose owner has been away for almost two weeks to his rural home in KwaNongoma. Mr. S’cebi Shange, a 33 year old man and a father of a 4 months old baby was left only with all he had on his body. Residents suspect that the fire started in the electricity box.
It took some time for the Fire Department to arrive and when it did it came in a wrong passage way where there was no access for the truck to come closer. The truck had to drive back to find an alternative road access. By the time they came there was nothing left. "The blaze of the fire had already destroyed all we owned" said Mr. Shange.
"The newly elected councillor Mr. Mdlalose arrived at the scene yesterday with his BEC members, but did not even speak to us" said Mr. Buthelezi. Mr. Shange. added that "We have lost hope as we have expected the councillor to assist us in dealing with the disaster."
The Abahlali baseMjondolo leadership arrived in afternoon to witness the damage and the effect caused by the fire. The families were traumatized and were in desperate need of rebuilding material, clothing, furniture and foods.
Abahlali continues to condemn these ongoing shack fires which can be avoided. They are not natural disasters nor are they a result of the poor being uneducated about the causes of fires. They are a result of the way that we are forced to live in an oppressive society.
We have had enough of these fires. In the past we have organised a shack fire summit and we have marched to demand an end to the plague of fires. Our efforts have fallen on deaf ears.
It is high time that the eThekwini Municipality engages meaningful with all shack dwellers to find a permanent solution to the permanent crisis of shack fires. Land and housing, water, electricity and sanitation can save lives of the shack dwellers.
We have always advised the municipality that while we acknowledge that land and housing can be a long term solution interim support such as the provision of fire breaks, more water standpipes, sanitation and road access must be provided as a matter of urgency.
If we were people that counted in the city urgent action would be taken to address this crisis. By year after year passes while we are left to burn. For year after year it is said that shack dwellers and their homes are burning because we are ignorant and drunk. The fact is that we are forced to live in this crisis of fire because we do not count to this government. Land, housing and electricity could end this plague.
For more information and comment please contact the Abahlali Chairperson in Siyanda Branch, MaMkhize Nxumalo on 076 5796198 or the Abahlali Office on 031 3046420.