Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Support for fire-hit township

Trade and industry minister Rob Davies handed out blankets and food parcels on Tuesday to families whose shacks were destroyed by fire in the Masiphumelele township outside Fish Hoek in Cape Town last week.

Davies, who visited the township in November for an entrepreneurship programme, returned to the township to “show his support” to those affected by the fires, his spokesman Bongani Lukhele said.

“In November the minister addressed more than 250 business people and aspirant entrepreneurs as part of the 'Taking the dti to the People' campaign,” Lukhele said.

“This morning he returned to the area to hand over food parcels and to tour the area where the shacks burned down.

“He felt it was important for him to come over to show his support to the people.”

About 160 homes were gutted and more than 600 people left homeless in the fire which started about 7am on Family Day.

Fifteen fire engines and a helicopter were used to battle the fire. No fatalities were reported.

The displaced people were accommodated at the Masiphumelele Community Hall.

- Sapa

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