It was a sad morning for Mandela Park residents on Tuesday when a fire destroyed more than 20 shacks.
The blaze broke out in Molokoane Street at about 10am, and
City firefighters responded at 10.18am.
More than 50 people, most of whom were not at home at the time, have been left homeless. Six
other shacks were partially damaged.
According to the fire department, the fire was extinguished by 2pm. Its cause is still unknown.
There were nine fire engines on the scene, according to Richard Bosman, the City’s executive director for safety and security.
Last year, a fire in the very same street led to the death of two
people, including a 6-month-old baby.
In March 2017, more than
4 500 shacks in Imizamo Yethu were destroyed in one of the biggest fires to hit Cape Town.
Nobuntu Mhaga, one of the victims of the latest fire, said the people of Mandela Park felt defeat-
ed.
“We don’t know what exactly happened, but we are devastated. This is the second time that this is happening and the same people are affected.”
