Help for Joe Slovo fire victims

The Community Chest of the Western Cape in partnership with the Department of Social Development visited Joe Slovo fire victims on Monday, May 19, to handover aid to 45 households.

A fire killed two people and destroyed 45 shacks in the informal settlement on April 29.

Christopher Mingo, head of compliance and allocation at the Community Chest of the Western Cape, said the aid boxes consist of non-perishable goods including canned food, maize meal, rice, and a blanket. "The box can provide for a family of four for a week,” said Mr Mingo.

He said 15 people were not present to receive their boxes but they would return on Saturday May 24 to handover the aid.

One of the fire victims, Lingi Mlindi, a mother of three, said the fire destroyed everything she owned.

“I wasn't able to save anything. I have a 3-month-old baby, all her nappies, clothes and formula were all lost in the fire. The 8-year-old child lost his school uniform and books, and all our important documents were destroyed. We have no IDs and birth certificates.”