Annual shack fires expose crisis in Pretoria informal settlements

Recent fires at Pretoria informal settlements have underscored an ongoing emergency in Tshwane, after a child died and scores of structures were damaged in a blaze at Plastic View and previous large fires at Cemetery View and other settlements over recent years.

Child killed and dozens displaced in Plastic View blaze

City of Tshwane MMC for community safety Hannes Coetzee said about 150 shacks were damaged and that a child died in a Sunday morning fire at Plastic View. He said firefighters found the child’s body during search and recovery operations after residents were unable to evacuate everyone safely.

Coetzee said the exact cause of the fire remains unknown and that assessments are underway to determine the full extent of the damage and the number of families displaced by the incident.

Part of a pattern of annual large fires

The Plastic View blaze follows a history of major fires in Pretoria’s informal settlements. In May 2023, a fire at Plastic View left 250 people homeless after 45 shacks burnt down. Cemetery View has also suffered repeated large fires in recent years, including:

• 800 shacks destroyed in 2024
• 300 shacks destroyed in August 2023
• 400 shacks destroyed in March 2022

Relocation plans and handling of foreign nationals

Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya visited Plastic View over the weekend and the city said it has identified land in Pretorius Park to relocate some residents. The city also said that foreign nationals would be handed over to home affairs.

The DA’s Tshwane housing and human settlements spokesperson Shaun Wilkinson said the party had a plan for Plastic View.

What officials say

“Assessments are underway to determine the full extent of the damage and the number of families displaced by Sunday’s incident,”

This statement reflects the city’s immediate response as it works to identify needs and next steps for those affected by the fire.

Ongoing challenges

The repeated destruction of large numbers of shacks across Pretoria’s informal settlements highlights continuing challenges for Tshwane in managing emergency response, relocation and the status of residents following such disasters.