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Tragedy at Wingfield Tent City: Hundreds Left Homeless After Devastating Fire
A Night of Fear and Flames
A quiet Thursday night in Maitland turned to chaos when a massive blaze tore through the Wingfield Tent City, leaving hundreds of refugees without shelter. By the time the flames were finally extinguished around 10 pm, more than 50 structures had been reduced to ashes, and at least 211 people were officially registered as affected.
For many of the displaced families, the fire has destroyed what little stability they had. Among them is Fatima Rukundo, a mother of three from Burundi, who described the terrifying moment she woke to smoke and shouting. “When I saw how big the flames were, I panicked. My children were so traumatised. We slept on the pavement last night. We lost everything.”
Emergency Response and Relief Efforts
Within hours, Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre (DRM) activated an emergency response team. Spokesperson Sonica Lategan confirmed that the city had set up a mobile Joint Operations Centre on-site to coordinate disaster recovery, humanitarian aid, and damage assessments.
“Gift of the Givers provided immediate relief, serving hot meals and bottled water throughout the night,” said Lategan. She added that SASSA has been notified to assist affected families, while the Solid Waste Department began clearing debris early the next morning once the site cooled.
The city is also working with shelters and safe spaces to identify available bed spaces for displaced residents. Those who wish to stay close to the site have been offered temporary accommodation in perimeter structures, while others are choosing to stay with friends or family.
What Caused the Fire?
The cause of the blaze is still under investigation, but officials have confirmed there were no injuries or fatalities. According to Charlotte Powell from the DRM, the structures along the outer edge of the site remain intact.
Yet for many residents, that’s little comfort. The Wingfield Tent City community, already vulnerable after being served eviction notices earlier this year, now faces the trauma of rebuilding their lives from scratch.
Humanitarian Aid and Hope
Relief organisation Gift of the Givers, led on-site by spokesperson Ali Sablay, described the situation as “heartbreaking.” Sablay said their team was inundated with calls from community leaders and human rights activists as the fire spread.
“Our teams will continue operations in the coming days to support affected families. This disaster has left hundreds homeless and deeply traumatised,” he said.
As dawn broke, volunteers, aid workers, and city officials moved through the smouldering ruins, offering comfort and supplies. But for the displaced residents, recovery will take much longer than a single cleanup.
The flames may have been put out, but the emotional and social scars remain, a reminder of how fragile life can be for those already living on the margins.
Also read: Ekurhuleni’s Security Scandal: How a ‘Cat Cartel’ Boss Ended Up Guarding the City
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: News24
