This morning MEC Lebogang Maile visited the Itireleng informal Settlement, assessing the area following the shack fire that left five children burnt beyond recognition.
“We will be undertaking an intergovernmental approach to timeously put the necessary measures in place for the affected families, including psycho-social services and relocating them as the area is not suited for settlement.” Maile said.
A local resident said that Maile is making promises as elections is coming up. "Promises to move residents of Itireleng to a safer place was made plenty times in the past."
Meanwhile the City of Tshwane says its saddened by the loss of five children who tragically died in a shack fire near Laudium.
“As the MMC for Community Safety, I am saddened to hear about the loss of five innocent children due to a fire incident at Itireleng Informal Settlement near Laudium. The five children, three boys aged 2, 4 and 6, and two girls aged 1 year, 5 months and 7 years, belonged to two sisters. It is alleged that the two women left the children untended in one shack over Saturday night, leading into the early hours of Sunday morning, 27 August 2023, when the fire broke out.” Ald Grandi Theunissen, MMC for Community Safety said in a statement.
“After receiving a call at approximately 04:26, the City’s Emergency Services Department dispatched various firefighting and support units to the scene.
Once at the scene, firefighting operations started as multiple shacks were already engulfed by the fire. The firefighters found the remains of the children in the ruins of the shacks after the fire was extinguished. The mothers of the children were arrested.” Ald Grandi Theunissen added.
“I would also like to call on all parents and caregivers to ensure that children are always left under the care of an adult. Let us all learn valuable lessons from this unfortunate incident.” He said.
