The Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, has been informed that Team Human Settlements responsible for Emergency Housing is already on the ground to assist households affected by a blaze that ripped through New Rest-Egoli informal settlement in the Western Cape early yesterday morning, 07 April 2025, leaving scores of people homeless.

The Drakenstein Local Municipality has informed the National Department of Human Settlements that 200 informal structures might have been affected by the blaze. However, the currently compiled list of people who have come forward has a total of 360 structures that have been affected. This is being verified by the two spheres of government.

Minister has commended families and friends who have opened their homes to accommodate the fire victims and NGOs that have provided much needed humanitarian aid.  

To ensure that the destitute households are assisted, the mop-up operation has started with the help of the affected communities themselves.

Minister Simelane has sent her condolences to families that lost their loved ones. She has also impressed upon Team Human Settlements and other stakeholders to speed up assistance to the affected households.

Enquiries: Tsekiso Machike, Spokesperson to the Minister on 077 410 5050 Tsekiso.machike@dhs.gov.za OR Mandulo Maphumulo, Acting Head of Communications on 082 099 7699 I Mandulo.maphumulo@dhs.gov.za

Issued by the Ministry of Human Settlements, Govan Mbeki House 240, Justice Mahomed Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria