The fire destroyed dozens of shacks, leaving more than 20 people, including women and children, homeless. No injuries were reported but they have lost all their belongings.
The cause of the fire at this stage is unknown.
Although the fire victims lost everything in the inferno, the residents said that they don’t need help from any individual.
This apparently came after a man, known by the Advertiser, and who claims to be a member of the ANC, urged the residents to say that they don’t need any help because he had already organised to aid them.
The Advertiser also learned that apparently the residents were urged not to accept aid such as food from the police.
The local journalist had to call the police after the man incited the residents to chase away this journalist.
He also prevented the desperate residents from speaking to the paper, and attempted to prevent the reporter from taking pictures.
The police arrived and the man still tried to prevent us from speaking and taking pictures, until the police intervened.
“We don’t need you here, these people will get help from us. You must go and push your DA agenda, because this is what you did on Mandela Day. You used pictures of the DA for the event at Blue Sky informal settlement,” said the man.
Meanwhile, the poor residents who were convinced that the man will help them jeered at this reporter, shouting for him to go away as they don’t need help.
Some were seen on Friday, August 8, trying to rebuild their shacks with the damaged corrugated irons, while others were sitting in the shade waiting for anyone who could help them with building material. – @FanieBoksburg
