Cape Town - A temporary relocation area was being developed for 800 families affected by a blaze in Khayelitsha on New Year's day, Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille said on Thursday.
De Lille, in a council speech, said the City and provincial government were meeting with community representatives weekly to fast-track the development of the temporary site at OR Tambo Hall in Khayelitsha.
“Earthworks have been completed and very soon those residents still residing in the community hall will be accommodated on this site.”
Another site in nearby Mfuleni was being developed as the ultimate location for fire victims.
Fires in Khayelitsha and Du Noon on January 1 killed five men and destroyed numerous shacks and formal houses.
De Lille said some had accused fire and emergency services of not responding fast enough.
According to the mayor, the fire and rescue services department had nearly halved the fire mortality rate in informal settlements, from 7.9 deaths per 100,000 people in 2005, to 4.3 deaths in 2011. - Sapa