Dukathole shack fire victims get relief

At least 20 families were left homeless and in distress after a fire broke out in Dukathole, an informal settlement in Germiston, Ekurhuleni.

The cause of the blaze is still unknown.

The families lost their belongings, including identity documents, certificates, clothes, furniture, food, and more, and are currently staying with friends, family, and neighbors.

The Gauteng Department of Social Development in Ekurhuleni quickly responded to the disaster, visiting the affected families and conducting assessments to determine the services needed.

The Community Development Practitioner, Phindile Sibuyi, reported that the Ward Councillors and Disaster Management teams have also visited the area and provided household utilities, such as pots, plates, cups, and more, to the families.

“The Department provided social relief in the form of 20 food parcels and 20 blankets,” said Sibuyi.

She added that the department will assist the families further by providing full sets of school uniforms and dignity packs, and helping replace lost ID documents and birth certificates.

“Officials from the Directorate Sustainable Livelihood in Ekurhuleni Region will follow up with the beneficiaries to ensure that they are linked to other sustainable livelihood services and graduate from their challenges,” Sibuyi concluded.