Refugees affected by fire near Maitland seek resettlement in countries other than SA

Foreign nationals affected by a fire at a refugee camp near Maitland have reiterated calls for resettlement in countries other than South Africa.

Last week's fire at the Wingfield site destroyed a marquee tent housing more than 200 refugees.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

But it's suspected it may have started in one of the wooden structures used as a kitchen.

Occupants living at Wingfield have been allowed to use some of the structures on the perimeter of the site that were not affected by the fire for accommodation.

They're part of a group of refugees that protested outside the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees offices in Cape Town in October 2019, demanding resettlement in countries other than South Africa.

One of the occupants, Faraja Augustine, said the South African government needs to do right by them.

"If they come and conduct personal interviews then they will know this one is qualified to be repatriated back home but not deported. Or they will see that this one is qualified to be reintegrated in the community, or this one will be qualified to be resettled in a third country."

The group is also facing a removal from the site and the court application to evict them is set down for April next year.

CAUSE OF FIRE UNKNOWN - CITY OF CAPE TOWN

Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town said while the cause of the fire at a refugee camp in Maitland remains unknown.

While the investigation into the cause of the fire at the Wingfield site continues, the City of Cape Town said the weather conditions on the day resulted in the fire spreading very quickly.

It said this contributed to the main marquee being razed to the ground.

The municipality said many of the structures on the perimeter that the occupants used as utility or kitchen areas were saved.

Those who were living in the tent, are back onsite and are using the surviving structures as sleeping spots.

Meanwhile, the Department of Home Affairs added that it won't be providing alternative accommodation to the refugees who are homeless after the tent burnt down.

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