Cape Town residents affected by the recent New Year’s Day fire in Khayelitsha’s BM Section will today be shown different options the city has for them to help prevent future destructive shack fires.

The fire left five people dead and 4 000 destitute. Cape Town mayor Patricia De Lille announced the news at a memorial service for Luyanda Ngcebetshane, Lunga Krexe, Sivuyile Gqodo, Nkosiyako Lako and Zukile Magada, who died in the fire.

According to De Lille, 600 people formed a crisis committee after the fire had taken place. The short-term needs of the affected families were discussed. Many of these families have been living in the OR Tambo Hall in Khayelitsha since the ruinous happening. De Lille said, “I have, over the past week, held meetings with the community to address their immediate needs and the longer term future of BM Section.”

Khayelitsha Development Forum chairman Michael Benu said the township would be three decades old this year, but it could not be celebrated if so many families still lived in shacks. He called on all sectors of the government to work together to see to the needs of underprivileged people. “We also call on all community leaders and churches to work together”, he said.