Deputy Speaker, on 22 February 2015 a severe fire broke out at the Joe Slovo informal settlement in Milnerton, Cape Town, as well as at the Philippi settlement. Eighty-five dwellings were razed to the ground at Joe Slovo, while 270 persons were displaced, including 20 babies and infants. Tragically, a man died in the fire.
During a visit by the ANC, residents complained that since the DA took over governance in the Western Cape nine years ago, they have progressively suffered gross neglect ... [Laughter.] ... in that they lack houses and there is no consideration of their general welfare.
They are pleading that the Minister of Human Settlements will intervene, since the municipality of Cape Town has failed to build houses for them, thus depriving them of their human rights. I thank you. [Applause.]
