Pleas for help after fire in Overcome Heights
The fourth fire in a year at Overcome Heights informal settlement destroyed around 100 shacks and left 300 people homeless last Thursday, November 20.
While police say no case of arson has been reported, the community said an 18-year-old man had set their shack on fire after an argument with his mother.
“A fire incident was reported. No case of arson has been opened,” said Muizenberg police spokesperson Captain Stephen Knapp.
Jermaine Carelse, Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson, said a fire emergency call was received at approximately 10.10am.
He said a firefighter was injured and transported to a medical facility for treatment.
Sonica Lategan, Disaster Risk Management Centre spokesperson, said: “Assessments are ongoing following the fire in Overcome Heights. Indications are approximately 100 structures were destroyed, and some 300 persons affected.
“An official count will be given once the registration process is completed. Two minors sustained burn wounds and were taken to hospital.
“City services have been activated to attend to infrastructural damages, including replacing toilets on site. The City's Electricity Services was on site to fix overhead electrical lines.”
This is the fourth fire in Overcome Heights this year.
Scores of people lost their homes to two fires that broke out within days of each other in June. A fire on Youth Day, Sunday June 16, destroyed 20 to 30 shacks, which had been home to about 100 people. Days earlier, a fire had destroyed five shacks, leaving 12 people displaced (“Scores lose homes to Overcome Heights fires”, Southern Mail, June 19).
On Monday January 29, about 40 homes were destroyed, leaving about 150 people homeless (“40 homes destroyed by Overcome Heights fire”, February 1, 2024 ).
Karen Mentoor, a community leader, said the Vrygrond Taxi Association had donated zinc sheets but more were needed rebuild homes.
People lost all their belongings including furniture.
“We need mattresses, nappies for 15 babies and a wheelchair for a 13-year-old girl,” said Ms Mentoor.
She said 100 shacks had been sprayed with fire proof protection and only one of those was affected by the fire last Thursday. “If the City of Cape Town can use fire proof spray on all our structures it will not only save money but also save people from losing valued items.”
Resident Zimbini Mzikayifani said: “I lost everything. The kids lost all their clothes and only have their school uniforms. Mikel Kumalo, community leader, helps with food, provides stoves to cook on and provides us with clothes.”
Lumka Mzingeli, who has lived in Overcome Heights for 10 years, also said he lost everything. “I am currently sleeping at my sister's place. We need furniture, clothes, blankets and bedding.”
Nandipha Dyasi has lived for more than four years in Overcome Heights. “The situation is bad, people lost everything. We lost our IDs, clothes, certificates, bank cards, and furniture.”
Ms Dyasi said they are trying to rebuild their shacks with the burnt materials. “What else can we do?”
If you want to donate necessities such as building materials, clothing, nappies, bedding, appliances, household items, etc, contact Ms Mentoor at 073 559 3015 or Ms Mzikayifani at 078 191 7797.