Residents in Gugulethu and surrounding areas will continue being without a fire station for some time because it was shut down.
This was after an attack by protesting residents who have been partly blamed for the deaths of a family in Brown’s Farm, in Philippi, on Monday.
Firefighters from Mitchells Plain were called when a fire broke out, killing four members of the Dyantyi family.
Asked when the Gugulethu station would open, safety and security Mayco member JP Smith said repair work had begun but it was not clear yet when it would open.
The station suffered R500 000 in damages and 53 fire vehicles have been put out of action.
“We are still delivering the service from Mitchells Plain fire station until Gugulethu is repaired,” Smith said.
“It is unfortunate, but it is a reminder of what happens when the actions of a few put the lives of thousands of residents at risk, as there will now be a delay in the response times to any fire call-outs in the Gugulethu area.
“This unnecessary attack has caused long-term damage to staff and the community,” Smith said.
The residents believe if the Gugulethu fire station had been operational, Nomsa Dyantyi, 30, and her children - Neliswa, 8; Vuyani, 10; and Aphelele, 4 - could have been saved.
Zibele Mjila, who lost his partner and children, was at work at the time of the incident. His 14-year-old daughter was watching TV at a neighbour’s house. Mjila does odd jobs.
“I have no choice, but to bury them here in Cape Town. I hope I will get more calls for jobs this week so that I can afford to bury them.
“I will continue staying with my relatives until I am better, emotionally and financially. We still don’t know the cause of the fire,” he said.
Resident Themba Maweya said: “It is sad a family is grieving and we are left with no homes, food and clothing. We have to start from scratch. Some are unemployed and others are not earning enough money to quickly buy small furniture.
“Yesterday (Tuesday), the city brought the material, but we couldn’t rebuild because the city couldn’t clear the land. The last body was recovered and was there until late at night.”