Second fire sweeps through informal settlement in Plettenberg Bay
While the exact number of shacks destroyed in this latest fire is still being verified, no injuries or fatalities have been reported.
This fire affected a different section of the settlement than the one hit on 4 August, when a blaze -reportedly caused by a brazier (imbawula) – left over 300 people homeless.
The Bitou Municipality has activated its disaster management services and is currently assisting residents on the ground.
Humanitarian relief organisation Gift of the Givers has also stepped in to support the community with aid.
Authorities are working closely with affected families to assess damage and provide temporary shelter, food, and basic necessities.
This second incident in less than a week highlights the ongoing risks faced by those living in informal settlements, where open flames for heating and cooking often pose a significant hazard.
The municipality has reiterated its commitment to supporting victims and exploring longer-term solutions to improve safety and living conditions in the area.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- The Citizen
#Women'sDay: Celebrating Priscilla Pundit's living legal legacy
Pioneering KwaDukuza attorney Priscilla Pundit recently celebrated a remarkable 50 years of legal practice. Born in Durban in 1948, she is recognised as the oldest, non-white female, practising attorney, conveyancer and notary public in the country. She is also a mother of five children and ten grandchildren. Her elder son Ashok Kumar Pundit and eldest daughter Nishana are also practising attorneys. Although she is gradually passing the reins of the practice, started by her late husband Jayprakash Pundit, to Nishana and grandson Vinayak Panday, Pundit continues to work regularly – upholding justice with head, heart and hand in harmony. Family and the law have always been intertwined for Pundit, who followed her father Mr R.P. Singh into the profession. She met her husband Jayprakash while he was an articled clerk to her father, travelling daily from KwaDukuza to Durban in 1967. Eight years later, Pundit herself was admitted and later became a conveyancer and notary public in 1980. She has been a beacon in the local legal industry ever since and a matriarch to three generations of attorneys. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below.
The Citizen
8 hours ago
- The Citizen
AGS Lig and Lewe begins new chapter at North Point
AGS Lig & Lewe has been part of the heartbeat of the North Coast for 32 years across seven locations and now it finally has a permanent home. The popular church has enjoyed nearly nine months at its new base in North Point Ballito, a far cry from its humble beginnings as a small group meeting at the Ballito Library in 1993. As the church has grown, so too has its congregation, with around 120 people regularly attending the main Sunday morning service. AGS Lig & Lewe Ballito is a majority Afrikaans Pentecostal church under the Apostolic Faith Mission umbrella, led by Pastor Andrew Anderson. 'We are a family church where the word of the Holy Spirit comes first,' said Anderson. 'We offer services in both Afrikaans and English, and run several home and Bible study groups throughout the week.' Originally from Empangeni, Anderson took over leadership of the church in 2020. With both the church's relocation and Anderson's personal move south, it is fitting that his theme for the year is 'Come Home'. 'There has been so much difficulty in South Africa and the world over the past few years and people have worked hard just to get through it,' he said. 'I believe the church must be a voice of hope and love. We have seen many people return to the church during this time and we believe that seeds planted in the hard times are now bearing fruit.' Anderson himself 'came home' to the church as a young man after breaking his back during army service and enduring a long hospital stay. After dealing with persistent pain and undergoing spinal surgery with Harrington rods, he found healing through the church and committed to a life in the ministry. 'My grandmother always told my mom that I was going to be a pastor when I was growing up. Eventually God's plans were revealed and proved her right.' Sunday services are held at 9am and are followed by a popular lunch. The church's Cornerstone Café serves 'heerlike ma se kos' and is open to the public. Find more details on the church at AGS Lig & Lewe Ballito on Facebook and Instagram. Contact them via [email protected] or 083 253 5100. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below.
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Second fire sweeps through informal settlement in Plettenberg Bay
A second fire swept through the Bossiesgif Informal Settlement in the early hours of Thursday morning, just days after a previous blaze devastated the area. While the exact number of shacks destroyed in this latest fire is still being verified, no injuries or fatalities have been reported. This fire affected a different section of the settlement than the one hit on 4 August, when a blaze -reportedly caused by a brazier (imbawula) – left over 300 people homeless. The Bitou Municipality has activated its disaster management services and is currently assisting residents on the ground. Humanitarian relief organisation Gift of the Givers has also stepped in to support the community with aid. Authorities are working closely with affected families to assess damage and provide temporary shelter, food, and basic necessities. This second incident in less than a week highlights the ongoing risks faced by those living in informal settlements, where open flames for heating and cooking often pose a significant hazard. The municipality has reiterated its commitment to supporting victims and exploring longer-term solutions to improve safety and living conditions in the area. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
