An 8-year-old boy has tragically died and his grandmother is in a critical condition in hospital after a devastating fire swept through Zone O informal settlement in Kayamandi, Stellenbosch.
The blaze broke out on Saturday night, destroying 43 structures and leaving hundreds of people displaced.
Kayamandi community activist, Nandy Mhlakaza, said: “The 8-year-old passed on in the fire and the mother is still waiting on information from the forensic department while the grandmother is critical in hospital. The mother of the deceased is not okay, she is traumatised and is currently living with her sister at the moment because her shack is totally damaged, she could not save anything. Apparently the cause of the fire happened when some residents were sitting in front of a paraffin heater. I am not sure what triggered the heater but that is the cause of the fire. Fifteen shacks were totally damaged and 28 shacks were partially damaged.”
Stellenbosch Municipality spokesperson, Stuart Grobbelaar, said the cause of the fire is under investigation.
"Municipal officials, including Disaster Management, Roads, Electricity and Solid Waste teams, were on-site Sunday to assist. Clean-up continued [Monday] and [Tuesday] as we work to support affected families in every way we can. We have heard reports of a minor who succumbed to her injuries but this has not officially been confirmed to us.”
Gift of the Givers has stepped in to help with humanitarian relief.
Organisation leader, Ali Sablay, said they have been on site since Monday, providing hot meals, 5-litre bottled water, hygiene packs, baby care packs, and blankets.
“Gift of the Givers teams have been inundated with calls for assistance following a devastating fire that swept through the Zone O Informal Settlement in Kayamandi.
"Tragically, an 8-year-old child lost his life in the blaze, and his grandmother remains in critical condition in hospital. A total of 43 structures were destroyed, leaving 125 people displaced and in urgent need of humanitarian support.
"This incident is part of a concerning increase in fires affecting informal settlements, as communities struggle to cope with the severe winter cold. Gift of the Givers teams have observed a marked rise in such emergencies during recent cold fronts.
"This tragedy comes as the Western Cape braces for a new cold front expected to hit from Wednesday. Gift of the Givers teams remain on high alert and ready to respond to further emergencies in the coming days,” said Sablay.
Cape Argus
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