Masiphumelele fire: CoCT registers hundreds homeless residents

The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre has on Wedensday begun registering residents affected by the devastating fire in Masiphumelele.

Hundreds of people were left homeless after the blaze tore through the area on Tuesday, destroying about 160 informal structures.

Officials said registration would help assess needs and provide emergency relief, including temporary shelter and food assistance.

The Disaster Risk Management Centre's spokesperson, Charllotte Powell, explained: “We’ve also activated the Solid Waste Department to clear the fire site so that rebuilding efforts can get underway. Other relevant city services have been called in to check for damage to water, sanitation and electricity infrastructure. Gift of the Givers and the Living Hope NGO are on scene to respond to the immediate humanitarian relief needs on site”.