Dozens of families have been left homeless after a fire tore through the Kennedy Road Informal Settlement on Wednesday night, destroying approximately 40 shacks.
Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, and fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
Senzelwe Mzila, spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, confirmed that disaster response teams have been deployed to assist affected residents.
“The Provincial Disaster Management Centre has activated relevant departments and social partners to coordinate interim relief efforts,” Mzila said. “These efforts will focus on providing immediate support to those affected and helping them rebuild their lives.”
Around 70 people have been safely evacuated and are currently being housed at a nearby community hall as authorities work to assess the full extent of the damage and coordinate aid.