[DEBATE] : Man burns to death in Village Heights Informal Settlement

[Peter van Heusden]

Man burns to death in Village Heights Informal Settlement

ST MONTAGUE VILLAGE, CAPE TOWN, 26 DECEMBER 2006 - A man burnt to death in
his shack in the "Village Heights" Informal Settlment in St Montague Village
today. Residents say the fire started between 5.30 and 6am, and was put out
by the Lakeside Fire Department sometime about 6am. Its cause is unknown - 
while "Village Heights" lacks electricity, this man's shack had an extension
lead connecting him to his relatives, who lived nearby.

Ayesha Davids of "Women's Hope for the Nation" suggested that this tragedy
could have been averted if there had been fire hydrants in the area. She
said that this issue had been raised with Steven Erasmus of the Cape Town
City Council's Housing Department several months ago, but no action had been
taken. The standpipes which are installed in the area allegedly are
faulty, and only deliver a slow and unreliable water supply.

ENDS
For more info: Ayesha Davids 078 159 2097