By Jonk wa Mashamba
Furious residents whose shacks were burned down at Madala Hostel, demanded that the government build them decent homes.
“If they want to help us rebuild our homes, they should not bring shacks here.
“They must help us reconstruct with bricks. We are fed up with shacks,” said the father of six children, Zakhele Mahlalela, who lived in the area for 22 years.”
Lucky Mathebula (27) stated that he lost everything to the fire. He echoed the same sentiments that the reconstruction of the shacks was pointless.
During his address, MMC for housing in Joburg, Mlungisi Mabaso said it would take more than three years to build suitable housing in the region.
As the demand to reconstruct with bricks gained momentum, Mabaso said there was nothing that could happen overnight.
He indicated that there was a lot of logistics to follow, including the participation of other stakeholders, such as JMPD.
He said his immediate solution, which would allow the affected families to return to their homes, was to rebuild shacks.
He pledged that his department would provide them with building materials or help some rebuild.
Headman Sipho Mwelose had to intervene when the meeting took more time.
Approximately 166 families were left to fend for themselves when their houses were destroyed by fire. The incident occurred on September 15 at approximately 9:00 am.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but residents suspect that someone might have left the stove unattended.
