On Saturday, 16 April, a fire devastated the Joe Slovo informal settlement in Langa, Cape Town. Three hundred homes were destroyed, leaving over 1200 residents destitute. Overcrowding and a dire lack of critical infrastructure are significant contributors to fires regularly devastating Cape Town’s townships. Harsh and compact living conditions make residents vulnerable to such fires occurring perpetually, contribute to the spread of infectious diseases such as TB, and render residents victims of criminal activity and violence.
The Department of Human Settlements, again, reminded citizens that they are working on providing infrastructure and building homes for people living in informal settlements.
A film by Sam Flans and Alfa Fipaza.