Cape Argus E-dition

Urgent help needed in Capricorn

ELLEN FEDELE | Plumstead

A FRIEND of mine who lives in Capricorn and suffered the loss of his home, which housed his mom, dad, brothers, sister and himself, has been devastated as he is the only wage earner.

It’s disheartening to learn first hand that when the fire happened on Thursday evening two weeks ago, the ward councillor came in with someone taking pictures and raised the hopes of the people that something would be done. It was to no avail.

My source on the ground, if he speaks under the condition of anonymity, will show pictures of how desperate people are, simply putting up perimeter signs around what was once their home and sleeping nightly at the taxi rank, only to be told to leave at 4 the next morning, as that is when the taxis start operating.

How is this allowed? This is inhumane. We would not even allow domesticated animals to be treated this way. Where is the council? Where are the emergency packs?

The building material to start the horrific task of preparing a life from scratch?

The only ones who reached were an amazing lady from our local Facebook group and the Mustadafin Foundation, who donated a whole boot full and back seat full of clothes and sanitary packs for men and women, and clothes and blankets for my friend.

Where are you, CoCT, when your people need you? Why did you rebuild 50 shacks in a Khayelitsha fire but not 40 shacks in Capricorn?

Why are you allowing a traumatised matric pupil to go to school with just two pairs of grey shorts and all else lost, including books and notes, and just sit by idly doing nothing?

My friend is black and yes, I am white, but my heart grieves for what he and the other 39 families have lost.

Please, do the right thing – help them rebuild their houses. We the people will help rebuild their hearts and minds by reminding them that there are others out there who do care and who will fight to see that they get treated with dignity and the respect they deserve.

METRO

en-za

2021-12-03T08:00:00.0000000Z

2021-12-03T08:00:00.0000000Z

http://capeargus.pressreader.com/article/281616718650952

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