GOOD Statement by Andre Pedro,
GOOD Cape Winelands District Councillor
29 January 2024
One week after the devastating fire in Wolseley claimed their homes, many residents have still not been able to start rebuilding due to a lack of support.
The blaze, which started in Kluitjieskraal last Monday, has continued to spread throughout the Cape Winelands due to the difficult conditions to contain it.
While fire crews were battling the flames, several structures were burnt down including at least 60 informal housing structures which left around 300 people in dire need of support.
Many of those affected are children or elderly residents who depend on social grants to survive. A number of them have also lost their ID documents in the fire.
The Cape Winelands District Municipality, Witzenberg Municipality and Western Cape government have a responsibility to help those impacted by this disaster, especially the most vulnerable in our society.
Yet many residents say they have not had any support or communication from the local or provincial governments.
GOOD calls on those at municipal and provincial levels to urgently request emergency funding from the National Department of Human Settlements to help with immediate emergency needs and to assist them in rebuilding.
All residents, even those living in informal structures, deserve equal support and assistance from the government when affected by disasters.
Media Enquiries:
Andre Pedro, Cape Winelands District Councillor
Cell: 062 962 4547
Email: pedroandre433@gmail.com
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 073 367 1223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za