Police and members of the Happy Valley Development Forum suspect foul play after a wooden structure, which formed part of a crèche, burnt down this week.
A case of arson has been opened by Mfuleni police.
Neighbours said that before the fire started at Happy Feet crèche in Blackheath at about 2.30am on Monday, the crèche’s alarm had gone off.
Principal Theresa Lefleur, who is also a member of the Happy Valley Development Forum, said the structure had been a “home away from home” for babies aged between three and 18 months.
Items that were destroyed in the fire include 24 cots, a microwave oven, a stove, tables, stools and toys.
“Most of the children have nothing. It breaks my heart to see what we have built over the last couple of years destroyed.
“People in the community depend on the crèche because it’s the only safe environment for children to stay in,” Lefleur said.
Sources said arson was suspected due to conflict between the SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) and the community about the use of the crèche.
The crèche was established in 2008 by the Blackheath City Improvement District, community leaders, local businesses and the City of Cape Town.
Last year, the Cape Times reported that the crèche was at the centre of a political feud. Sanco had threatened to tear it down as they wanted meetings to be held on the property.
In a letter dated June 15, 2009, the Happy Valley branch of Sanco said the organisation had decided at a general meeting with the community that the owners of the crèche had until the weekend to dismantled it. If they failed to do so, Sanco said they would break it down.
Brendan van der Merwe, a member of the Blackheath City Improvement District and the crèche’s treasurer, said the core of the problem was the leadership battle between the ANC-based Sanco and the community, which has its own leadership, mainly DA.
“The crèche is the only building in the area, and the ANC want access to it so that they can hold their meetings, and we won’t allow them to.
“I definitely suspect foul play, but I can’t point any fingers as investigations are still in progress. We have opened a case of arson, but in the meantime we request the community to assist in the rebuilding of the centre.”
- Cape Times
A case of arson has been opened by Mfuleni police.
Neighbours said that before the fire started at Happy Feet crèche in Blackheath at about 2.30am on Monday, the crèche’s alarm had gone off.
Principal Theresa Lefleur, who is also a member of the Happy Valley Development Forum, said the structure had been a “home away from home” for babies aged between three and 18 months.
Items that were destroyed in the fire include 24 cots, a microwave oven, a stove, tables, stools and toys.
“Most of the children have nothing. It breaks my heart to see what we have built over the last couple of years destroyed.
“People in the community depend on the crèche because it’s the only safe environment for children to stay in,” Lefleur said.
Sources said arson was suspected due to conflict between the SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) and the community about the use of the crèche.
The crèche was established in 2008 by the Blackheath City Improvement District, community leaders, local businesses and the City of Cape Town.
Last year, the Cape Times reported that the crèche was at the centre of a political feud. Sanco had threatened to tear it down as they wanted meetings to be held on the property.
In a letter dated June 15, 2009, the Happy Valley branch of Sanco said the organisation had decided at a general meeting with the community that the owners of the crèche had until the weekend to dismantled it. If they failed to do so, Sanco said they would break it down.
Brendan van der Merwe, a member of the Blackheath City Improvement District and the crèche’s treasurer, said the core of the problem was the leadership battle between the ANC-based Sanco and the community, which has its own leadership, mainly DA.
“The crèche is the only building in the area, and the ANC want access to it so that they can hold their meetings, and we won’t allow them to.
“I definitely suspect foul play, but I can’t point any fingers as investigations are still in progress. We have opened a case of arson, but in the meantime we request the community to assist in the rebuilding of the centre.”
- Cape Times
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