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------------
http://www.abahlali.org
http://www.khayelitshastruggles.com/
http://www.antieviction.org.za

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