Nicolette Dirk and Raphael Wolf
SUPPORT from the Mitchells Plain community has flooded in for Eastridge grandfather, Patrick Abrahams, who lost eight family members in a fire at the weekend.
A memorial was organised by the Mitchells Plain Community Police Forum (CPF) at Imperial Primary School in Eastridge on Monday afternoon.
CPF secretary Lynn Phillips said more than 300 people packed the school hall.
“Mitchells Plain is a community who will always support each other in this kind of tragedy,” said Phillips.
Phillips said since the weekend various organisations and two local retail stores had donated food hampers to the Abrahams family.
Eastridge Neighbourhood Watch members also visited the family of Abrahams’ son-in-law, Alfonso Swartz, who died in Saturday’s fire. The Eastridge Day Hospital security guard’s 18-month-old daughter Tamia also died.
Neighbourhood Watch member Gadija Karriem said: “We went to lend emotional support to the relatives who are still all very sad.”
Various government departments have also pledged support. Abrahams met officials from the City’s Disaster Risk Management centre and the Western Cape Social Development Department.
Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith said the province’s Social Development Department would cover funeral costs for victims over the age of 18. “Both the Department of Social Development and SAPS have started providing victim support services and trauma counselling.”
Archbishop Thabo Cecil Makgoba also conveyed his condolences.
“My pained heart goes out to the Abrahams family for the devastating loss they have suffered. We pray also for the whole Eastridge community at this time
.”
People wanting to donate clothes and non-perishables can do so at the Ethel’s Place Youth Care Centre or Eastridge police station.